“The Gospel instructs us that the crosses of everyday life are for our salvation, yet unlike the holy people surrounding Christ’s Nativity, too often, we flee from submission to them. We cut ourselves off from people who annoy us, rather than patiently bear their presence. We seek out consolation – and escape – from daily stresses in our drug of choice – alcohol, shopping, entertainment, cannabis, or something else. In the process, we make every excuse to avoid submitting to the lessons Christ attempts to teach our soul, to help us grow up, out of spiritual immaturity. Facing anything that demands something from us, we panic and run, or turn and try to destroy it – just like Herod did to Christ. “
(Fr Geoffrey Korz, article in asna.ca)