February 8, 2026

Many things can pull us away from being open to God’s presence. We may be simply distracted or feeling lazy at the moment. We may get lost in worldly thoughts that separate us from others, but then something reminds us and we turn back God’s way.  This turning back to God is called repentance and it re-establishes us in relationship with God.

But turning away from God, at its most serious and egregious, can lead people to a depraved path addicted to passions that ends in the cloud of darkness and evil that we see being reported in the news – the abuse and murder of children, the beating of innocent immigrants, the “disappearing” of witnesses, the blackmail of leaders. It is a like a heavy black cloud of evil. We may feel overwhelmed, not knowing what to do.

On the personal level, the path of Jesus is one of giving and giving. God’s way is love, and this means setting our intentions to open our hearts and keep giving as much as we can, our food, our money, our time, our voice, especially to the poor, vulnerable, young, sick. It means protecting anyone who needs help.

By setting our sights on giving, we can be a light in the darkness. The direction is always outwards. In a way it doesn’t matter what we are giving; what is important is setting our hearts to radiate outwards continually.

Switching our mindset to giving is the antidote to consumerism and acquisitiveness. Giving is the antidote to darkness and evil, by demonstrating love and kindness in this world. Giving is the antidote to arrogance and privilege, by opening our hearts to others. Giving is the antidote to abuses by giving our voice to bear witness. Serving humbly is the way of Jesus.

That is all for today.