January 2020
Reflections of God's Goodness
What a wonderful time of year! Once again, we have pondered the mystery of God and what it means that Jesus came into our world. Our celebrations of Christmas often bring us closer to God and to one another.
As we are basking in the glow of this Christmas joy, a new year dawns. I don't know about you, but a new year always seems to me to be a new beginning, an opportunity to make some changes. The best resolution we can make is to come to know and follow Jesus more closely.
It is very clear that God has and will give us the help we need to find Him and follow Him. In the Old Testament, Psalm 119 says that God's word is "A lamp for my feet...a light for my path." The Gospel of John calls Jesus the Word, deepening our understanding of who He is and why He came:
"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."
We live in a world with much darkness, with evil, pain, violence, poverty, crimes against children, mistreatment of the elderly and more. Yet, Jesus promises to be our 'light.' "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
As we begin this new year together, let's each ask ourselves, "Where is God's light leading me in this new year?" Look for the Light! "The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119: 130)
May the revelation of God's words, and the power of His grace light your path, illuminate your understanding and draw you closer to Him in this new year.
Blessings and peace,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
"But you are a 'chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises' of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
