Many people begin the New Year with resolutions, many of which are never followed through for long. I prefer to suggest six month short-term goals. Personally, what do you want to achieve in the next six months? Spiritually, what do you want to achieve? As a member of a family, what do you want to achieve? Do one for each area. Each month check to see how you are doing. Even though you may not reach your goal, are you closer to your expectation? Life is movement forward on our journey to the Lord. Happy New Year!
As we come to the close of 2023, it is good to look back and identify the many blessings we have received. How often it is easier for us to remember the bad things that happen to us rather than the blessings. Sometimes we take for granted these blessings, as if we deserve them. In reality, we deserve nothing, for we are sinners. But when we give thanks to God for his blessings we are doing what is right, just and due. A grateful heart before the Lord opens us up to more of his blessings. Count your blessings and learn from your difficulties.
As we wind down this year of the Lord, it is good for us to look back over this year and ask some questions. Am I a better person now than I was at the beginning of the year? Have I grown in my relationship with God? What progress have I made in my spiritual life? What resolution did I make that I have fulfilled? What resolution was not fulfilled? What could I have done differently? Reflecting on my prayer time, is there a consistent message God has been speaking to me? If so, what have I done with it? We take this inventory to learn from the past and to prepare for the future. For if we are not growing spiritually, we are declining.
A Child is born; a Son is given us. Not any child, but the Son of God become Man. The gift of the Father's love to us. How can we respond to such a great gift? Continue the celebration of his birth by staying in the spirit of his birth. As much as possible stay in the spirit of the Church, which celebrates the birth of our Savior for a whole week. Christmas is not just one day to be thrown away with the wrappings of the presents. The spirit of Christmas is to be manifested by our true love for one another. That should never end. Jesus continues to come where love exists. Even though there was no room in the inn, there was room in the heart of Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds. Love enabled them to recognize him when he came.
Last minute shopping and preparation? Don't forget the number one person on your list: Jesus! What can you give Jesus, who is the beginning and end of all? Yourself! The one thing he desires the most from you is the gift of your time and focus, even in the midst of all the business of life. He made time for you. He became Man for your sake. He gave his life for your sake, all out of infinite love. The gift of ourselves is the least we can do in response. Then, when you give this personal gift, you open your heart to the greater gift he has for you, himself. What an exchange!
Ever thought about what life would be like if the Word did not become Man? We would still be alienated from God, living in the darkness of our sins. We would not know the Father's love and mercy. We would not share in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Death would be the end of our life, for after death there would be eternal darkness and nothingness. We would try to create our own god to no end. In the words of St. Paul, "For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7: 18-20) But thanks be to God The Word became Flesh, sent by the Father to save us and restore us to our God-given relationship. We are blessed! Thank you God!
Like Mary and Joseph we are on a journey. They were heading towards Bethlehem, where Emmanuel would be born and a new grace moment began. We are heading to the celebration of his birth, so that we can be open to a new grace moment in our lives. When he came, those who received him were filled with joy, their lives were changed. He comes in the present moment to fill us with his joy, which can change our lives. The shepherds left their encounter with the infant Savior sharing with others. Will we do the same?
