Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Be Open


Lots of us make resolutions. As we await the New Year, I urge you to BE OPEN. God has a beautiful plan for each of us, a plan that will lead us to joy and not to despair. That plan took flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and the light of Christmas continues to shine. BE OPEN to where God might lead you this year, and BE OPEN to changing direction when it's clear your path is not leading to life. BE OPEN to accepting your status as a beloved daughter or son of God: God created you and loves you deeply. BE OPEN to letting your light shine in the world; never doubt your ability to make a difference. BE OPEN to standing out in the crowd, to taking up a cause, to speaking the truth and to living in peace.

The truth is that resolutions are not about imposing your will on reality but allowing the will of God to impose on you. So don't worry about the exact changes you need to make. BE OPEN. Surrender yourself to God and allow God's infinite love to lead you where you need to go.

How do you do that? Pray......Listen.......Pray......Listen......Act

God's peace this New Year,

Anthony

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Octave of Christmas

Today is the fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (our 8-day celebration of the Incarnation) and the memorial of Thomas Becket, a 12th century bishop and martyr. Becket defended the freedoms of the Church and refused to compromise despite intense pressure from King Henry II. This led to his assassination in 1170.

We each experience pressures to compromise our principles and conform to norms and expectations that lie outside our faith beliefs. Jesus Christ calls us to stay true to what we believe and not to cave when we experience opposition.

Our celebration of Christmas goes much deeper than the child in a manger. We celebrate God's radical entry into human history that brings hope to all. The Incarnation brought a light into the world that will never be extinguished, and we are now the bearers of that light.

Do not be afraid. Christ, our light, walks with us every step of the way.

Anthony

Monday, December 21, 2009

Merry Christmas


Advent comes to a close and the birth of the Savior approaches. I hope you've found some peace during this season and are feeling ready to experience the real joy of Christmas.

Anthony