It's a good point to stop and reflect on the months that have come and gone so far. What have we done? What have we not done?
For we who claim to be Christian, have our lives been directed ad maiorem Dei gloriam - to the greater glory of God?
How are we going to continue, how are we going to change, what are we going to do for the rest of this year? Is there something in particular that we can commit to trying to do better from now until December 31?
I'm personally disinclined towards things like New Year's resolutions - if something is important enough to change or take action on in our lives, we should just do it - and not wait for the beginning of a new year as an excuse. However, I also understand the need we humans sometimes have for a concrete starting point. So tonight, take a few minutes. Think about life, think about where you're at, and think about where you want to be, come December 31, whether it's spiritual, mental, emotional, familial, at work, in school, whatever. Think about what you can to do live better, and help those around you live better, too.
And for my fellow Catholics and Christians, we must pay special attention to what we can do to continue to bring the light of Christ to those who need it - remembering that knowing the light of Christ in our own lives and sharing it only with those who believe the same way we do. That's fun, and we all need to do it, but it's not exactly what I'd call effective evangelization! No, you don't have to go out and bash people upside the head with the Bible - but we had better be prepared to be Christ to those who don't know him - by loving others, by bearing peace and justice to a world that needs it, by witnessing to the truth in our daily lives - by preaching the Gospel, using words only when necessary. Get out there and be the example, be the image of God in a world that is so often dark and in pain.
St. Edith Stein said it well: "The nation does not simply need what we have. It needs what we are."
+Peace and good.
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