We continue our celebration of the great feast of the Incarnation! God is so good to send us His only Son, Jesus. It changes everything.
Let’s take stock. Isn’t that usually what we do in the beginning of a New Year? How’s your heart?
Many of us have strong feelings when it comes to politics, world and local situations, wars and even in our relationships with friends and family. We are saddened by the many wars that are killing innocent women and children. It makes our hearts hurt.
In a recent encyclical, Pope Frances wrote about the human and divine love of Jesus in His Sacred Heart. “… If love reigns in our heart, we become, in a complete and luminous way, the persons we are meant to be for every human being is created above all else for love … to love and to be loved.” (Dilexit Nos, 21)
‘‘This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.’’ John 15:12
Pope Francis says that if we, our countries, neighborhoods and families don’t find these situations intolerable, it is a sign that the world has grown heartless. (Dilexit Nos, 22)
Have we become immune to the sufferings of others? “It is only by starting from the heart that our communities will succeed in uniting and reconciling different minds and wills, so that the Spirit can guide us in unity as brothers and sisters. … Our hearts, united with the heart of Christ, are capable of working this social miracle.” (Dilexit Nos, 28)
So, friends, this is the challenge, nicely summed up in Colossians,
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. “ Colossians 3:12-15
Happy New Year! May each of us receive the grace and courage to love more deeply and draw closer to the heart of Jesus as we live out the coming year.
Blessings and Peace,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN