Glory be to Jesus Christ!
One of the most terrifying characters of any story, but especially a story which is pertinent to us this time of year, is the Ghost of Marley, Scrooge’s business partner in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Marley appears to Scrooge to warn him of the arrival of three ghosts who will help to lead Scrooge to repentance. Marley’s ghost is described as dragging chains which he had made in his own life through his daily actions: “The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cashboxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel.”
Brothers and sisters, our riches will not save us. The false security which we feel from our financial situations is just that- an illusion. Thankfully, it is not too late for us to change, to turn and to realize where it is that our ultimate hope lies- in Christ Jesus. Our Lord reminds us that salvation is impossible for us, but possible for Him. Through our continued fasting, alms giving and prayer over this preparatory time, let us continue to shed those chains and join our hopes to the Lord!
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
PS- The Christmas Carol is an excellent book, short, entertaining and most importantly- edifying. Take some time to enjoy it over the holidays!
