As we begin this special Year of Jubilee, “anchored in hope,” I recall a Christmas greeting from years past from my priest classmate, Monsignor John Grabish, which was uniquely inspiring:
“When the song of the angels is still, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins – to find the lost, to feed the hungry, to heal the broken, to bring peace among brothers and sisters, to hold onto hope in a weary world, to see Jesus’ presence more clearly in us.”
In this new year, we embark again on our journey toward Eternity, a journey of joy and hope to see the light of God’s face. As we consider our New Year’s resolutions, I propose a 3-2-1 approach: Three Ps, two saints, and one “lovely lady.”
Three Ps – Prayer, Pardon, and Peace.
Prayer – Take time daily to enter God’s presence and speak to Him heart to heart.
Pardon – Begin by seeking forgiveness for offenses against God and for neglecting or hurting others.
Peace – Receive God’s reconciliation and share that peace with those around you.
How can we do this successfully? Two great saints provide guidance:
St. Paul encourages us to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. He urges us to bear with and to forgive one another, starting in our own homes.
The Saintly Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the great Missionary of Charity, reminds us, “Be only all for Jesus,” and “to be pure and humble like Mary so to be holy like Jesus.” What sage advice!
This leads us to our Blessed Mother, dear Mother Mary. She holds many titles, but a beautiful one for this year is “Our Lady of Confidence.”
At the start of the new year, the Church presents the first great act of Jesus in His public ministry – the miracle at the wedding feast at Cana. The Gospel tells us that the Mother of Jesus was there. When the wine ran out, Mary simply presented the need to Jesus without dictating what to do. She entrusted everything into His hands, and He performed His first miracle.
No one expected what happened – Jesus changed water into wine. This first miracle, done at Mary’s request, is a powerful expression of God’s immense love for us. It is a love that seeks out pain to soothe it, loneliness to comfort it, and sorrow to remove it.
Such love must take root in our daily lives. To become like Jesus, we need Mary’s tenderness.
Each morning, my friends, offer your day to Our Lady of Confidence – your prayers, works, joys, and sufferings. She will present them to Jesus, who will make them His own.
Never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought her intercession was left unaided.
Remember, the water was changed into wine! Praised be Jesus Christ.
Our Lady of Confidence, pray for us!
By Monsignor Aloysius Callaghan, rector and vice president emeritus, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
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