Faith as More Than a Footnote
Posted on: January 2, 2014
- In: Everyday Life | Faith | Family
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I’m not much for staying up till midnight on New Year’s Eve, but I do follow “year in review” media coverage.
Sometimes I shake my head when I think about the stories that loomed large over the past year—drug use and sexting by certain politicians, or the tendency of certain performers to go for shock instead of substance, for example. The recaps of the events of 2013 focussed on such scandals, and the choice of Pope Francis as the new head of the Catholic Church earned a quick mention in comparison.
As we look back on 2013, we can look at the place we gave our faith in our own lives. And as we begin a new year, we can make our faith more than just a footnote in this chapter we call 2014.
Our priest spoke at yesterday’s Mass about making resolutions for the year ahead—resolutions, not wishes. He suggested we make faith-related resolutions, such as a commitment to read a chapter or two of the Bible or the Catechism or spend ten minutes meditating in God’s presence each day.
The Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI is over, but I pray that this too would be a year to deepen our faith by taking more time to read the Bible, become more familiar with the Catechism, pray more for our families, and spend more time with God. Or to return to the Church if we’ve been away for a little or a long while.
May we praise God for his blessings over the past year, and try to recognize the ways he blesses us this year!
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.”
~ Malachi 1:11*
(*Scripture quote taken from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.)
A Catholic Convert in Ottawa 