Deus Lux Mea Est (2008)

GOD IS MY LIGHT....

Really January 1st is just like every other day of the year. Yes it begins a "New Year" but doesn't every day begin a new year. On January 1st after the revelry, (I've never been one for much revelry,at least not on January 1st) many of us stop and take stock of our lives. We ask ourselves lots of questions. How can I make the changes I need to get where I desire to go ? Sadly all too often we limit our goals our plans, our dreams, to worldly things... earthly things, with resolutions like, "I hope to be more financially responsible next year." or " I want to loose 30 lbs this year. " or "I hope to live in a new house next year."

Here are a couple thoughts to ponder....

Shouldn't we be thoughtful and reflective every day of our lives not just around the beginning of a new year. Shouldn't we be constantly taking stock of where we are and where we hope to be? Living life on the surface, never going deeper, not devoting enough time to prayerful reflection can take us way off course. If I depart from God's plan and it take me days or months or even one year to reflect on it, then it will be a lot harder to get back on track. Living a thoughtful, prayerful life is not an option for those who follow Christ it is essential.

How often do our plans include God's will? Yes, it is important to plan and to think about how we will live our lives, how we will provide for our families. How often though, do our New Year's resolutions even include our spiritual well being and our spiritual goals? How many of us raise our heads enough from our day to day routine or duty to see, to even get a glimpse, of the heavenly Jerusalem our final goal, our final destiny, our real home?

I know for myself that type of long range planning only comes with God's grace. So often I obsess over our pastoral plan, the details of our ministry, and how we will fix this or tweak that. It is so easy to get lost in the present and rarely if ever look to the future or benefit from the past. All of us, have to keep our eye fixed on the prize.. (Philippians's 3:14)

Deus Lux Mea Est. May God be our light this year. May His will, and His plan, be our guide, our hope, and the inspiration for everything we do. Let everyday of our lives be thoughtfully, prayerfully lived. Our fulfillment lies in God alone. Let us always remember that only His light can show us the way home.

Prayer and thoughts promised for you and your families on this holy day at the beginning of this "new year" and every day. Amen.

PS... By the way, a great place to share your prayers and intentions can be found at the Catholic University of America Prayernet I check it every day.