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New Beginnings
Praise be to God for new beginnings!! Every day offers us an opportunity to begin again. In fact, every moment is a chance to say, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner,” followed by an act of love. As advent approached, I resolved to take advantage of this Holy Season to prepare anew for the coming of Christ into my heart. Truly, I made an effort, but sadly, I did not make the degree of progress ‘I’ had hoped for. Oh, all was not lost, and the Holy Spirit did rekindle in me a spark (if not the fire) of His love. I’m learning a lot about my spirituality, as I continue to struggle and strive to grow in holiness. Coming to terms with the reality that I am weak, sinful, even wretched, hasn’t been easy. Mentally, I knew this to be true; but, through some harrowing months, I have experienced the reality of my nothingness in the depths of my heart and my soul. This does not defeat or discourage me, for I rejoice in the awareness of my frailty, and my need for grace. After all ‘true’ humility is the awareness of who God is, ‘Creator’ and who I am, ‘creature’. Without God, I am nothing. It is He who gives me value as His child. Historically, I have approached new beginnings with resolutions to do better. In other words the onus was on me. However, I will now attempt to approach the opportunities to grow in holiness with surrender and helpless abandon rather than promises that I am sure to break. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us go quickly to the feet of our Infant King, in our nothingness. Let us say: “Here I am Lord, do with me as You will. You are God. You are my Creator. I give You my humanity and I ask You to expose it for all the world to see, lest I forget who I am and how desperately I need You. Whatever You send me pleases me, for You do all things well. Lord, I am not worthy to receive You; but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. As I begin this new Liturgical Year, I give you no promises; I only give You myself, just as I am and I cry out from the depths of my being, ‘Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!’” It is my sincere desire to approach each conversation with Our Lord, each Holy Mass, each Holy Communion, empty, that He may fill this vessel with His grace and His love. Jesus, may I no longer trust in myself, but truly trust in You.
Grace Devine. |