“Who wants to be a saint?” is how I started our class at the start of November on “How Do Saints Become Saints – and Can I Become One Too?” It’s been quite a month reflecting upon all saints, on our own holiness, and praying for the souls of the faithful departed who have gone before us. In a way, it was also striking to kick off our celebration of 150 years as a parish in the context of remembering especially the holy souls who have gone before, who set an example for us of “Strong in Faith!”
This weekend we celebrate my favorite day in the Church year – the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Yes, the Easter Triduum is THE biggest and most important liturgy in our Church year (a continually unfolding 3-day liturgy commemorating Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.) But Christ the King is still my favorite. I love how we end our year with a final reminder that in the end, all of creation will be taken up into Christ our head, and become one in God through Christ Jesus. It reminds us of the proper order of things, and the finality in Christ and in God. It reminds us that regardless of the craziness around us in the world, God is eternally in control, and we are part of that grace and peace inasmuch as we turn our lives over to Christ and become one in Him.
Next week we kick off Advent and a new Church year, so this weekend is like “New Year’s Eve” of the Church year, and next Sunday is like “New Year’s Day” of the Church year. At my day job, our fiscal year also ends at the end of November, so I have come to make my New Year’s Resolutions each year aligned to the church year (and my work year) instead of with the secular new year in January.
Give this some thought this week… if you make a “Church New Year’s Resolution” as we kick off Advent and the new Church year next week, what would it be? Some ideas:
Resolve to read the Gospel during the week, before coming to Mass, and pray about what it means for you in your life. During the year, learn about and start to practice Lectio Divina prayer.
Resolve to attend 1 or 2 Faith Formation sessions/classes during the upcoming Church year.
Resolve to pray the Rosary each day, or if you already do, to make a stronger effort to reflect upon the Mysteries of Christ’s life and ministry that they present.
To commit to an additional act of charity or service each week... Perhaps to ask the parish if there’s something you could do in an hour a week of volunteering.
To join a Bible study group.
To make an hour of Adoration each week… or, for starters, once a month (sign up at adorationpro.org/elizabethil)
To join us for Sunday evening Vespers & Holy Hour.
To meet someone new at church.
Our parish family provides so many wonderful ways to grow in prayer, in faith, and in discipleship. Give some prayerful discernment to what you can do differently in this “new year.”
Forming Saints for the next 150 Years!
Yours in Christ the Servant,
Michael Halbrook