Our friend Fr. Roy Herberger sent out a Christmas message today that I'd like to share in part:
"After hearing of an airplane crash or a deadly car accident, a terrorist attack or a massacre at Las Vegas, we so often respond with 'Life is so uncertain. We can't take it for granted that we or a loved one will see another day.' And yet, we too often put off until 'tomorrow' what we should have done or said today."
What happens when we unexpectedly lose a loved one? Fr. Roy comments, "We deeply regret not doing what we should have done or feel guilty for the words like 'I love you.' or 'I forgive you.' or 'I'm sorry.' that never get spoken.
"Let's not live a life of procrastinated regrets," he says. "Reach out and help someone today. Forgive someone now. Deepen your relationship with God immediately. Be a better spouse, parent, friend, Christian, worker, or student at this point in time - before its too late.
"God used Mary to 'birth' Jesus in flesh and blood and make His love real - in a very human and personal way. And now God needs you and me to make Christ's love real in and though our humanity, in the personal way we share our faith and love with others," Fr. Roy says.
I thank Fr. Roy for his simple, beautiful, heart-felt words that are so appropriate as we gear up for the holidays. As we plan our Christmas gifts, we can think about what would please those we gift the most - a gift card to a restaurant, or an invitation to dinner; a Regal gift card, or a framed family photo; an email Christmas card, or a phone call home. As we honor the Prince of Peace, who stretched our his arms on the cross in a forgiving embrace to gather us all in, what would please him more than our making peace with someone we've been estranged from, or our freely apologizing for unthinking words, or our contacting a friend or relative who somehow got lost in the busyness of our lives?
I'm saying this to myself as much as I say it to you: Reach out today. Gift someone today with your words and hugs and kisses of love, or forgiveness, or apology. Before it's too late.