January 2, 2021

Rejoice!  It is the start of a new year!  How might we consecrate the next three hundred and sixty-five days to the Lord and thus grow as disciples of Jesus?  Here is an idea:  Carry a rosary in your pocket and literally grasp onto the Cross throughout the day.  When we are commuting to work and anxieties fill our mind, reach in and grasp onto the Cross.  When we are waiting in line at the grocery store or the bank, reach in and grasp onto the Cross.  When we are having a difficult phone conversation or are receiving bad news in an email, reach in and grasp onto the Cross.  When we are driving around on a lazy Saturday morning doing errands, reach in and grasp onto the Cross.  We spend our days reaching out and grabbing onto all sorts of things – for good or for bad – as our first parents did (Gen 3:6), but if we learn to get into the habit of reaching for the Cross, there is a guaranteed outcome, namely, we will slowly become conformed to that crucified figure through the course of the year – open, trusting, loving, good.  Let’s therefore not be afraid; let’s not live with sleepy hearts; let’s make the effort; let’s take the risk; let’s make this the decisive year of the Cross.  Ave Crux, Spes Unica!