Thanksgiving is on the horizon with Christmas a month away. In-between is much time spent with family, friends, and strangers who often have very different belief systems from our own. It is a season that begins with gratitude and ends with the birth of the Prince of Peace. But an unfortunate American tradition for Christians and non-Christians alike is that depression and suicide skyrocket during this particular holiday season.
Our resolutions for change so often fall flat! Perhaps this is because we focus on correcting a bad habit rather than improving relationships, especially our relationship with God. The new Catholic daily devotional, Moments with Jesus, can be a step toward true transformational change.
Our God is the God of second chances. When God’s people are faithful to Him, He showers them with grace. When they turn away from Him and towards self-gratification, He withdraws His grace. For many years, God has been slowly withdrawing His grace leaving us increasingly to face the natural consequences of our choices. What we have before us now is the opportunity for true change, and that begins with us. The question is: are you willing to give up that one thing you absolutely will not give up?
Eventually, we are faced with the most important question of our life: is salvation an option or a necessity? If it isn’t optional, then my holiness can’t be either.
Heroism surrounds us every day. But we can’t praise it unless we first see it; we cannot see it unless we first recognize it. This is our challenge today: find it in your ‘footprint’ on the planet.