FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
NEW YEAR MESSAGE
RESOLVE TO BE HOLY
January
1, 2012
Happy
new year to all!
Each new year is a crossroad. We decide to go God’s
way or veer away on our own way. We either move forward
in our walk with God, or we retrogress. We of course can
stand still, neither moving forward nor backward, but to
do so would be akin to moving backward. God calls us to
holiness and discipleship, and we have our whole life for
this, and each new day should be a deliberate step forward.
If not, then we have that one day less in our lifetime by
which to draw closer to God. Being in the same place and
not closer, then we have moved back.
How
do people move forward? They examine their life and then
make resolutions. To change. To do better. To be holier.
Within
the context of our life and mission in CFC-FFL, here are
basic must-do’s:
-
Have time for personal prayer every day.
-
Read
the Bible every day.
-
Attend
all community activities. This is a manifestation of your
faithfulness to God’s call. This is also the way
by which you will receive the pastoral support you need
for your life.
-
Give
money monthly to community and weekly to the parish during
Mass. I include this because money is usually the last
to be surrendered to God. It reflects on where your heart
truly is. Give more to God and leave less for yourself,
and you are on your way to growth in holiness.
As you have also been called to community, one that is evangelistic
and missionary, engaged in intense spiritual warfare, know
what that entails. Every member is important in the plan
of God. Every member has been given a spiritual gift for
service. Every member is an instrument of sanctification
for all others. Every member will be subject to spiritual
attacks by the enemy. Thus I pray that you can also look
to the following:
-
Do not be overly sensitive to correction, criticism, even
perceived oppression or injustice.
-
Have
respect for and active submission to the leaders over
you.
-
Be
quick to forgive and do not hold grudges.
-
Do
not fight with your brethren. There is only one enemy
and they are not it.
-
Rejoice
always, even in redemptive suffering and affliction for
the cause of Christ.
-
Whatever
you do, do so for and in the name of Jesus. He is your
utmost priority. Obey him without reservation.
-
And
do not forget: evangelize!
I consider it my privilege to walk with you as we serve and
live for Christ. I thank you for all your work and sacrifices
in the past year. God knows all you do for Him. In this new
year, I am once again imposing on your generosity. Please
give even more of yourself. Jesus withheld nothing from you.
I hope you will live, no longer for yourself, but for him
who loved you and died for you.
I
trust that you share my excitement for this new year. Let
us proclaim Jesus with a passion!
God
bless you all.
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