Happy New (Calendar) Year!

Today is the clean slate that we’ve been waiting for – physically and mentally. A year full of possibilities and goals lies ahead of us. Even though as an accountant these are some of my busiest days of the year, I absolutely love the feeling that January 1st brings with it.

This morning was the first time that I can ever remember being in church at 8:25am for mass on New Year’s Day. Now, I’m sure there were times when I was younger that I was able to get up that early after NYE, but it’s been a while! I actually set my alarm last night before I went to sleep in preparation for going to mass this morning. I slept through my alarm (Shocker.), but I still woke up in time to make it to 8:30am service.

We had a visiting priest this morning as Father George was out of town. He began the service with a bit of a small homily message. He noted that today was the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, and today’s gospel carried a very special message about her. The gospel told the story of Jesus’ birth and how “……Mary carried all of these things in her heart.” Father explained that Mary carried these things in her heart and it strengthened her faith as a result. Then he stated, “As today is the first day of a new year, it’s an excellent time to examine what we are carrying in our hearts. Are we carrying hate, bitterness, jealously, and other things that have hurt us into the new year, or will we choose to carry all of the blessings we have received from the Lord over the past year with us?”

Pretty important question so early in the morning, but a WONDERFUL question to ask ourselves so early in this new year.

Maybe some things are best left in 2022. What will you choose to carry with you into 2023?