Do You Really Mean it?

Are good thoughts good enough? Yes, I am thinking about all those ever new “New Year” resolutions. A few years ago, I was the Pastoral Minister at a city parish composed of middle aged parishioners. The Pastor and I where asked by a number of parishioners about the possibility of having a midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve! We talked about it and decided to schedule the New Year’s Eve mass for midnight. Come December 31st at 11:30 p.m. we waited to welcome the parishioners—we waited and we waited. At 11:45 p.m. two people arrived, a mother and the daughter who cared for her. The rest of the crowd must be coming shortly we thought so we lit the candles. Father vested and we were ready to bring in the New Year. The New Year bells began to ring and oh what a beautiful sound they made. As the bells rang out Father, the mother, the daughter and I gathered around the altar—we were it. The mass was celebrated with all the trimmings minus the collection! It was a great celebration, very peaceful, and reflective. Those who thought it was a good idea but didn’t follow through missed out on a much graced moment.

The following weekend we heard a lot of “we were going to come but…!” Unfortunately, a good idea or thought counts for little if there is no follow through. Perhaps as we approach the New Year we might plan to look a little more at the spiritual side of our lives. We are always so busy—no one, we say, is as busy as we are. Really! Try to spend just five minutes a day in total quiet, come to church early or stay a few minutes after. Perhaps do something to help the environment. Each night before going to sleep think of at least six things you are grateful for. Try to find some positive action and follow through with it.

Let’s make 2016 a year of making this world and ourselves witnesses of God’s Great Love. Pope Francis’s challenge to “Wake up the world was not just for a year—it was for a life time. Blessings to all for 2016! Let’s all be the active influence for good in 2016.

“Let us open the doors of our hearts to Jesus, so that he will accompany us now and through the year that is about to begin”.

Barb Vaughan, CSJ