Fr. Ed Dougherty, M.M.,
The Christophers’ Board of Directors
We recently celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, which falls on January 1st every year and provides a wonderful focus in the last days of Christmastide as we set our sights on a fresh start with hope in the future for all that lays ahead. Through her example, Mary shows that hope springs eternal when we place our trust in Christ, who guides us towards a steadfast faith capable of withstanding the trials of life. Our celebration of the birth of Christ throughout the Christmas season reminds us of the unexpected and truly miraculous gifts in store for those who follow God’s plan in their lives.
As we turn our attention to the year ahead, let us carry forth a spirit of gratitude for the blessing of a Savior who joins us in everything—our weaknesses and strengths, our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and even our failures—because the birth of Christ shows us that God desires to meet us where we are and to always lead us to a better place.
Here at The Christophers, we greet this coming year with excitement because it marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of our organization. It was all the way back in 1945 that Father James Keller, M.M., started The Christophers with the expressed intention of highlighting that God has a plan and a purpose for everyone in society.
This message remains as vital now as it has ever been, which ignites our hearts as we embark upon this anniversary year, because it is mission that calls us above all else, and it is mission that preoccupies our minds at this time of year as we take stock of things and renew our efforts at bringing good into the world around us.
The Christophers have always been focused on inspiring people to realize their mission, and it’s important to remember that assessing the circumstances of our lives is the best way to discern God’s call, because purpose is sometimes found in the simplest of things.
So, as we consider all we are called to in the coming year, let’s remember to weigh things according to God’s standards. Let’s take note of the people in our lives, especially those to whom we feel some sense of obligation. Beyond any goals we may have for individual success, chances are that those people and obligations are where we will find the greatest triumphs that God has in store for us, triumphs that often occur in the quietest of ways in the love that we show and the sacrifices we make.
The picture of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the manger at Christmastime provides such a beautiful reminder of this reality of finding God in the interdependence of the family because it shows the Holy Family clinging to each other. And they do so with hope in the future for all the good that will transpire from their love for one another.
Mary and Joseph raised Jesus on that love, uncertain of what the future would bring, yet trusting that God’s will would manifest itself in their love. As we contemplate the love of the Holy Family and that special relationship between Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us take inspiration from them in the most important mission in our own lives, to love with the utmost dedication all the people that God has entrusted to our care.
For free copies of the Christopher News Note FINDING YOUR WAY BACK TO GOD, write: The Christophers, 264 West 40th Street, Room 603, New York, NY 10018; or e-mail: mail@christophers.org
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