Christmas Thoughts

I live quite close to a nondescript building with an innocuous name that is a shelter for North American priests that are in rehabilitation from various infractions.  I think you know what I mean by 'infractions'.  They aren't confined, that would be a jail, but rather my understanding (and I may well be wrong here), is that it's a rehabilitation centre, a place where other professionals work with them to help them back to their chosen path.  It's top of mind to me as I quite frequently see them walking the area, to get air, clear their heads no doubt and consider themselves.  They don't walk as priests, in fact they look homeless, which in a sense they are.

Over the weeks, I come to recognize some of them as I pass by in my car, on the area paths.  As I also like to walk in the woods (and tend to do that alone, sans dog as I enjoy nature), I often think I might be considered a way-ward priest by the neighbours and passers-by.  But I don't think the area I live in generally acknowledges this centre, or that purpose or their local presence as it's a secret like so much of Catholicism.  So perhaps not.

There's a popular struggle between those with faith at this time of the year, the 'true meaning of Christmas' and the commercialism that's overtaken everything as we're primarily viewed in society as consumers, not individuals.  Democracy isn't at risk from socialism or communism, it's being insidiously eroded by capitalism, and we've yet to acknowledge that.  Seeing these older men walk around, I wonder what their view of Christmas is.  Normally they'd be front-line soldiers for the spiritual side of the argument, but that commitment has got to have taken a kick-in-the-teeth in light of their personal circumstances.   While I have very little personal compassion for them in light of their actions and the trusts they betrayed, I do pity them right now.  Their path back to normalcy must seem unattainable - once a traitor, always a traitor to your country, your ideals or your faith.

Christmas is a hard time of year for many.