Dear Brothers (and Sisters),
As we begin the New Year, all of us at the National Fellowship of Catholic Men want to wish you a Happy New Year, and we pray that 2008 will be a grace-filled year of favor and blessings for you and your family. We would be grateful if you would pray for us at the NFCM during 2008, that we would remain faithful to God's call for this ministry to Catholic men. We hope you enjoy this reflection on making 2008 a year of new beginnings.
Maurice Blumberg, Executive Director
National Fellowship of Catholic Men
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14)
New beginnings are such fascinating times. So much is fresh and new, and you still don't know what the outcome will be. The first chapter of John's Gospel tells us that Jesus was with God at the beginning-and it also tells us that he is the beginning for all those baptized in his name. He has given us all the "power to become children of God" (John 1:12).
What a beautiful reading to contemplate as we stand on the cusp of a new year! As we cross into 2008, it can be tempting to remain stuck in 2007-especially in thinking about the failures and setbacks of the previous year. It can be tempting to reflect on the ways we could have loved someone more or put our lives in better order. But that only leads us to look at the coming year with a sense of despondency.
Don't do it! God knows where you have fallen short this year. And he has already forgiven you. You may need to confess a few things, but it is even more important that you lay hold of the grace available to you in this new year-the grace of a new beginning-and face the future with faith and confidence. The devil is the one who wants us to remain fixated on our failings. But God is saying, "No. That time is over. Simply bring all these concerns to my cross so that I can comfort you and heal you."
As the new year dawns, never forget that your God loves you deeply and passionately. He wants none of his children to miss out on his grace and on the marvelous blessings he has planned for this new year. So go ahead and say "yes" to whatever he wants to do in you. Let him transform you into a powerful witness of what it means to live in the victory and confidence that Jesus has won for you. It's a new beginning, and that is always the most exciting time!
"Jesus, I give my heart to you this day and commit my life to you for the coming year. May you find in me an open heart that says ‘yes' to you all year long. Come, Lord, and fill me with your love, so that I can bring you to my family and to others."
[Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission
