“Every beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”, so said Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman Philosopher of the 1st Century. Yes, when we think of it, it is so very true in our lives. It does not need any further explanation. We can think of any aspect of life and grasp the reality of it.
Now that we are at the close of the year 2015, let us acknowledge with gratitude, all the blessings we have received from God from the day one of 2015. Gratitude is divine. We express our gratitude to our God Almighty, from whom all good things come; and also we express our gratitude to those whom God has put with us in our life’s journey, for all that they have brought into our lives.
No doubt, there have been some unpleasant things that might have happened in our personal lives, in our families, in our communities and in our society at large. Life is a mixture of good and evil; of pleasures and pains. But “we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans. 8, 28). So we are called to “give thanks to God in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5, 18)
As we say goodbye to 2015 with a grateful heart, let us welcome 2016 with a joyful hope so that it will bring more love, joy, peace and harmony which every human heart longs for. Let us take a New Year Resolution to become more rooted in the love of God so that we can love one another more deeply; to accept one another as the children of the loving Father who is so merciful and kind-hearted. Let us shed off all the spirits of division, condemnation and judgement.
In this Year of Mercy may we become ‘merciful, just as our Heavenly Father is merciful’ (Lk. 6, 37). We are in the holy Season of celebrating “the Word became flesh and lived among us” (Jn. 1, 14); celebrating “the true light, which enlightens everyone” (Jn. 1, 9) who came into the world. Let us not forget our mission that in the places where we live, we have to be ‘the Word become flesh’ so that others can ‘hear, see, look at, and touch’ (ref. 1 Jn. 1, 1) Jesus in and through our lives. Since ‘the Word became flesh to make us Divine’, it is our everyday task to strive to ‘be conformed into the image of His Son’ (Rom. 8, 29). May our Lord ‘Immanuel’, God with us, grant us His Grace and Power in order that we may fulfil this task in this short earthly life. As our loving Father has gifted us with the New Year, 2016, may He impart us the Priestly Benediction with which He blessed the Israelites through Moses:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace”.
Mary Pereira