"Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer."
-Romans 12:12
At the dawning of a new calendar year, it seems as if the entire world is filled with hope. Perhaps the joy of the Incarnation and the promise of eternal life made possible when God took on our human flesh propels us to be a bit more optimistic about things than we otherwise would be.
We all long for a fresh start, a clean slate, a second chance, a do-over. Somehow a new year affords us this opportunity.
And so, we resolve to be better than we were last year. We resolve to change the things about ourselves that most frustrate us. We pledge to exercise more, eat more healthily, pray more regularly, be kinder, gentler, stronger - better.
As we begin our ministry in Catholic education again in this new calendar year, I hope and pray that we can lean on the grace of Jesus Christ and the transformation only He can bring to carry us through 2016. I pray that He inspires our school community to be the collective group of Christians He created us to be. I pray that in 2016 He can turn us into - or at least push us closer towards - the persons He intends for us to be.
This year, I pray that because of Him and our faith and trust in His infinite power, glory and goodness that Hope Will Rise in our hearts, our homes and our world.
Resolve to hope.
Commit to His blessings.
Fight for joy.
