A New Beginning

The beginning of a new year. A new beginning. I'm reminded of St. Josemaria Escriva and his spiritual encouragement of "beginning again", when we are feeling very discouraged about ourselves. It is a point he repeats often. It is always possible for God's mercy and forgiveness, and for a new beginning. I love to hear that: a new beginning. It is my prayer for all my friends, and visitors that they will have that new beginning. That anyone they have offended will allow them to start again, be given another chance, as God Himself would graciously offer. We all fail somewhere, each and everyone of us, but we are not failures. We are all made in God's image and are brothers and sisters in Christ. When we clothe ourselves in Christ, inside and out, offences are more easily forgiven and as many chances as needed are given to those God places us in relation with. And so it is my prayer, my hope, my wish for you, for all good things in Christ to be yours, and especially for reconciliation and peace to reign in your hearts and actions, in your little corner of the world; and for you and yours a blessed and gracious new beginning. That "all debts will be canceled" and a fresh new beginning filled with abundant graces will be yours - and that you in turn will see this same new beginning for others as you truly reconcile any grievances that have occured and give others the new start that God wishes all to have through his mercy.

Be merciful and mercy shall be yours.