New Beginnings
As I embarked on Holy Week I found myself with a theme in my prayers- a theme of new beginnings-- especially in these days of self isolation. Our New Year’s resolutions, by this time of year, are gathering dust somewhere, perhaps on a piece of crumpled paper in a junk drawer! In our secular world that’s it for new beginnings—though some, like me, still like September, the beginning of the academic year, as another new beginning. If you are catholic and full of faith you will find many opportunities for new beginnings:
- After New Year’s we have Lent- a time for forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation—new beginnings.
- Then comes Holy Week and Easter Sunday—the ultimate new beginning- where death is no more and we live anew in Christ.
- Next is the Day of Pentecost where our Church is born and that really is a fantastic day to jumpstart your faith and gain new understanding of the Holy Spirit in your lives.
- Summertime- not really a Church feast or season- offers the opportunity for you to rest and relax in God’s creation. Everyday go outside and give thanks for the sun, the warmth, the beauty of nature and one another. Perhaps a new beginning for a sagging spirit.
- November—All Souls—remembering our endings on earth as well as new life in heaven. All Saints- Inspiring us always to a new life as a saint.
- Advent- The time of preparation for a new life, a new beginning as we wait our newborn King as well as His second coming.
- Christmas- Joy to the World! The whole World rejoices in a new beginning!
- Back to New Year’s—and the cycle begins again!
And we must never forget that year around- every Saturday afternoon and many other opportunities during the year- we can find a new beginning in the Sacrament of Reconciliation- laying our sins at Jesus’ feet is the ultimate new beginning for us! May all your New Beginnings and Fresh Starts be blessed, Holly
