Celebrating New Year has always been a welcome moment for me. I see it as an opportunity to weed out the negative circumstances of my past and to let new beginnings take root in my life. It’s like the feeling that comes with a new haircut; the symbol of a fresh start. It’s one of the rare times when our world gathers in a collective hope for the future. Last year, I remember being surrounded by loved ones counting down to the ball drop on the television. At the strike of midnight, we embraced each other with champagne in hand sharing in “Happy New Year” cheers. All of us were filled with excitement and anticipation of the things to come in this new decade, as we exchanged expressions of: “Can you believe that it’s already 2020? Where has the time gone? This is going to be our year!”
I've often reflected on that night. No one could even fathom what was to come. This past year has consisted of missing and losing loved ones, facing unemployment, tough transitions, inability to attend our places of worship, intensifying mental health issues, and bracing ourselves for the next uncertainty to hit. It has been a heavy year to balance alongside the many beautiful lessons that this year has also brought us, whether that be growing in appreciation of family and friends, being able to slow down one’s schedule, becoming more aware of a neighbor’s suffering, or finding a new hobby to be passionate about. I imagine there are many that are relieved that 2020 came to an end, feeling hopeful for a fresh start and ready to bring the lessons that they have learned into 2021. I also figure that there are many who are struggling to find hope and are filled with fear of the unknown. I find myself caught in the middle of these feelings, which leads me to the question of how should we move forward?
One of my favorite things about the Catholic faith is that we don’t stop celebrating Christmas on December 25th. In fact, that’s when our celebration truly begins. To take it further, since we don’t rush to end the liturgical season by the 31st, it is the arrival of Jesus Christ that carries us into the new year.
The last Gospel before we begin 2021 shared “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” John 1:4-5. The world depends on light. The light warms our days and guides our nights. It allows for life to grow and flourish within its rays. It guides our steps so that we do not trip and fall. It allows us to perform our daily works. Light is a gift that illuminates the world around us so that we may know and understand it better. Without light Pope Francis says, “everything becomes confused; it is impossible to tell good from evil, or the road to our destination from other roads which take us in endless circles, going nowhere.”
The Lord is not asking us to forget all of the darkness that this past year has brought nor does he desire us to dwell in it. His solution isn’t to pretend that all of it will resolve when the clock strikes midnight. Instead, our Savior wants each and every one of us to know that He is the true light. He brightens our journey of faith in which shadows of the unknowns seek to overwhelm us. He longs to dwell in the very depths of our hearts and illuminate the spaces in which we need Him the most. Through His birth, He has come to bring healing to our sins, peace to our anxieties, and hope to our moments of despair. This is the knowledge that we are called to carry into the new year and share with all our neighbors near and far.
In embracing the light of Christ in 2021, we can pay particular attention to the theological virtues. As we dive into the mysteries that are to come in this new year, let us pray for an increase in faith, hope, and charity.
An Increase in Faith
Remember that faith is a light. Pope Francis in the encyclical letter of Lumen Fidei explains that some would describe faith as taking a leap in the dark. Some see actions of faith consisting of merely choosing to move forward amidst the darkness of uncertainties, that faith only works in the absence of light. Instead, Pope Francis reminds us of the dire need to understand that faith is a light; “for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.” Faith illuminates our path, so that amidst moments of despair and temptation we continue seeking to know and do God’s will. Our faith can only come from an encounter with the living God and the love He freely gives to us. In the light of His love, we gain new eyes to see His truth and to recognize His constant presence amidst the darkness we experience. In 2021, let us pray for an increase in faith. May we grow in the desire to commit our whole selves to God, strength to keep the faith in our hardest moments, and eagerness to share our faith with others.
An Increase in Hope
Throughout my life and through seasons of great darkness, hope has often been the virtue that allows me to keep the light of Christ close in my heart; “it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude” (CCC 1818). It is the virtue that fills our hearts with the desire for happiness, which can only be found in Christ’s promises and the fulfillment of heaven. In 2021, let us pray for an increase in hope, for sharing in hope will bring the glory of heaven down to Earth. The Holy Spirit looks to give us strength in this virtue. He wants to make way for great joy, even amidst the suffering we face. We must have hope in the promise that there is no trial that is too great for the Lord’s light to overcome.
An Increase in Charity
Charity is the virtue in which we answer our call to love God above all things, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Charity purifies our ability to love and allows us to share in His divine love. This past year has sown great division between neighbors, between families, between enemies, and even within ourselves. Love seeks to transform our hearts and bring us closer union with God. In our love, let us intercede for the sufferings that this world encounters. Let us give more selflessly to those around us. Let us expand our hearts beyond our comfort zones to extend Christ’s love to those most in need. Continue to love even when it is not reciprocated. Let us spend more time with our family and friends, learning how they best receive our love. Let our inner voices be gentle and forgiving, letting only the loving truth of God take root in our hearts and minds. May the ways we love ourselves and others reflect our relationship with Jesus. In 2021, let us pray for an increase in love for “Love is itself the fulfillment of all our works. There is the goal; that is why we run: we run toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall find rest” (CCC 1829)
I wish all friends of The Holy Ruckus a Merry Christmas, and may the light of Christ carry you into the New Year!