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From: Mary Zimmerman
Winona
We have just embarked upon another year within our journey of life. We can’t help but reflect on just how fast time passes, seems almost like yesterday that we were anticipating the Jubilee Year of 2000 and what it may have in store for us mortal creatures (mankind). As we review the past ten years, something like on a movie screen, what do we see? Something a bit different for everyone I’m sure. For some, great experiences of sadness. I have witnessed many graces and blessings coming to me and my family, a successful open heart surgery and a healing of depression as well as welcoming two new grandsons, Matt and Connor, to bring the total to 22.
Who can value the worth of a child? Yet we still shed tears for the little ones that mankind refuses to allow to be born into the world. It’s called abortion. Suppose for a moment Mary, the Blessed Mother would have refused to say yes to giving birth to Jesus, needing to come into a sinful world to redeem us, where would we be? I guess still struggling in the muck of sin without hope of salvation.
It seems in the beginning of a new year we are expected to somewhat focus on our lives, maybe even make some changes. We call them resolutions. We may be graced with the strength to carry out our good intentions, then again we may fall flat on our face. Don’t give up. Get up and try again and as many agains as it may take. You need to remember we don’t have to wait for a brand new year but just for the next moment. That’s how we need to live. Not in the past or future but in today’s moment, full of hope. God walks the road of life alongside each one of us. We needn’t carry our concerns and crosses ourselves. “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” “I am with you till the end of the world.”
Isn’t that a great reason to wish one another a Happy New Year, followed by peace be with you.
As my personal struggle toward sanctity I know what I should aim for - eat less, drink more (water that is), talk less, listen more, have frequent conversations with God, pray and listen.
We all need to ask ourselves what can I do as a peacemaker, a citizen and Christian to make this a better year for my family, relatives, friends and the whole world.
Perhaps acquainting ourselves anew with the prayer of St. Francis would be a good start. I challenge everyone to say, pray and especially live, the prayer of St. Francis. I know we would enjoy a better, peaceful world if we did.
Prayer of St. Francis
The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are several versions) contains a powerful message:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love,
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
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