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FRIDAY JANUARY 14, 2022
The Observer
New Year is Time to Choose Eternity and Choose Christ
T
he beginning of a new calendar year (and therefore the passing of the old year) should be a moment of serious reflection for us as Catholics and as followers of Jesus. Because this is part of the Christmas season, we should place each new year in the context of the coming of the Christ child into our lives and our world. The birth of Jesus reminds us that we are already part of eternity by the mere fact that we exist. The gift of human life that is given to each of us comes with it the invitation and the calling to be with Christ forever in the house of the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit. In short, we were made with the purpose of being happy and fulfilled for all eternity in heaven. We are already part of eternity because Gods invitation to every human being is never withdrawn. But our earthly life is the period of trial and of using our free will to choose. In love we must choose for Christ, or we must choose something else. But choose we must, and our choice will be, in response to the invitation, a choice for all eternity. Each turn of the new year reminds us that the day of decision is drawing nearer. We always have less rather than more time. But rather than bringing us anxiety, that reality should give us the hope of St. Paul who wrote to Timothy, I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. (2 Tim, 4: 7-8). The beginning of the new year then is a time to reflect on my spiritual progress. It's a moment to plan for my spiritual life in the coming year. Here are some possible topics to ponder. First, do I pray enough? The reality is for each of us the answer is almost certainly no. There is no upper limit on prayer. We can always do more. Prayer is the foundation and the bedrock of my personal relationship and encounter with Jesus. So why not consciously work this year to increase my prayer, each and every day? Prayer must lead me to the great encounter. That is the Mass and the Eucharist. With the re-emergence of COVID-19 Mass attendance is challenged again. Many have not returned to Mass since the outbreak last year. Conscience will help to decide if on a given Sunday serious reason like health concerns related to COVID-19 might keep us away. Still, each of us must seek to fulfill our Sunday obligation of attending Mass. Mass during the week unites us to Jesus even more. And can we use this year to encourage others to return to Mass with us? The poor you will always have with you Jesus has told us (Mt. 26:11). Christ has told us to care for those in need. Spiritually, can I seek to live more simply? As a result, this year can I not give greater attention and a contribution of my time and perhaps funds to assist those need? And the great gift of life is still under attack in our society by means of abortion. 60 million or more babies have not been born in this country since abortion was legalized. This year, how can I deepen my resolution to oppose this rejection of Gods great gift? Can I pray more about this and strengthen my faithful response? Can I speak to others about this and contact my political representatives and vote in a way that puts an end to abortion? Unlike passing New Year's resolutions, these are suggestions that reflect a deeper vision. We are not going to live forever on this earth but our task is to seek the path to do so with Jesus in heaven. With that vision, let's make this new year count! BY BISHOP DAVID J. MALLOY
From Urbi et Orbi, central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, Dec. 25.
The Word of God, who created the world and who gives meaning to history and to humanitys journey, became flesh and came to dwell among us. He came like a whisper, like the murmur of a gentle breeze, to fill with wonder the heart of every man and woman who is open to this mystery. The Word became flesh in order to dialogue with us. God does not desire to carry on a monologue, but a dialogue. For God Himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is dialogue, an eternal and infinite communion of love and life. By the coming of Jesus, the Person of the Word made flesh, into our world, God showed us the way of encounter and dialogue. Indeed, He made that way incarnate in Himself, so that we might know it and follow it, in trust and hope. What would our world be like without the patient dialogue of the many generous persons who keep families and communities together? ( Fratelli Tutti , 198). In this time of pandemic, we have come to realize this more and more. Our capacity for social relationships is sorely tried; there is a growing tendency to withdraw, to do it all by ourselves, to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together. On the international level too, there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking shortcuts rather than setting out on the longer paths of dialogue. Yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all. Indeed, even as the message of the birth of the Saviour, the source of true peace, resounds in our hearts and in the whole world, we continue to witness a great number of conflicts, crises and disagreements. These never seem to end; by now we hardly even notice them. We have become so used to them that immense tragedies are now being passed over in silence; we risk not hearing the cry of pain and distress of so many of our brothers and sisters. Yet, in the heart of the night, look! The sign of hope! The Love that moves the sun and the other stars ( Paradiso , XXXIII, 145), as Dante says, became flesh. He came in human form, He shared in our plight and He broke down the wall of our indifference. In the cold of the night, He stretches out His tiny arms towards us: He is in need of everything, yet He comes to give us everything. Let us implore Him to stir up in the hearts of everyone a yearning for reconciliation and fraternity. Let us now turn to Him in prayer. Son of God, comfort the victims of violence against women, which has increased in this time of pandemic. Offer hope to young children and adolescents suffering from bullying and abuse. Show consolation and warmth to the elderly, especially those who feel most alone. Give serenity and unity to families, the first educators of their children and the basis of the fabric of society. God-with-us, grant health to the infirm and inspire all men and women of good will to seek the best ways possible to overcome the current health crisis and its effects. Dear brothers and sisters, amid all the many problems of our time, hope prevails, for to us a child is born (Is 9:6). He is the word of God, who became an infant, capable only of crying, and in need of help for everything. He wished to learn how to speak, like every other child, so that we might learn to listen to God, our Father, to listen to one another and to dialogue as brothers and sisters. O Christ, born for our sake, teach us to walk beside you on the paths of peace.
Christ Leads Us on the Paths of Peace
BY POPE FRANCIS
W
e are not going to live forever on this earth but our task is to seek the path to do so with Jesus in heaven.
B
y the coming of Jesus, the Person of the Word made flesh, into our world, God showed us the way of encounter and dialogue.
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