“Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another…”
~ Colossians 3:12-13
Time to get dressed up in your best finery. No, I’m not thinking of New Year’s Eve, although I love a good party just as much as anyone! I’m thinking of Paul’s advice— to put on the mantle of compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness… you add the rest.
Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? Because we want to be better people of faith than we were before. At their deepest level, I think of New Year’s resolutions as profound expressions of faith—a desire to bring God into our plan for personal improvement! And we know that God’s presence is the one ingredient that insures success.
In the course of a new year, there will be detours and distractions aplenty. That’s why we have prayer and the Sacraments to keep us grounded. And we have each other. Those of us on this Journey of Faith are joined together in prayer all year long. The more we pray together, the deeper our relationship with Christ and one another.
Friend, as you begin a New Year, remember the unique gifts that God gave you in Baptism. Whatever your New Year’s resolutions, infuse them with the faith of a missioner committed to witnessing the Gospel and sharing God’s eternal love. I know it will be bountiful year. Prayer will make it so.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.
Prayer for Feast of the Holy Family
God of all time and space
You left eternity and heaven
to dwell with us on earth.
Into Your merciful hands
we commend this passing year
with all its joys and sorrows,
victories and failures,
to do with what You will.
And from the wellspring of Your mercy
let me draw refreshing waters
of renewal and rebirth.
God of past, present, and future
I consecrate this new year to Your
name and dedicate it to help
building up Your kingdom here on earth:
a kingdom of peace and justice,
a kingdom of love and understanding,
that all peoples may come to know
Your saving grace, and praise Your Holy Name
till the end of time.
Amen.
Prayer by Father Joseph Veneroso, M.M.
This is Father Ray Finch saying thank you for taking your journey of faith with me today. Until next time, you are always in my prayers.
