Happy New Year

What do you want in 2017?

Peace.  Peace in the world.  Peace in our country.  Peace in our families.

Peace of mind.

I think ultimately peace can only be found in God.  As I start 2017, I'm feeling a distinct lack of peace.

I want 2017 to be a year where peace is advanced.

Want to join me? 

cc

January 1 - Hail Mary

Welcome to 2015.  On the first day of the year, the Church celebrates Mary as Mother of God.  She wasn't just a vessel, someone God imposed upon to make the Incarnation occur.  She agreed to it.  God most certainly loves her in a special way - she's Jesus' mom!

Today at mass our priest told stories of how people endured difficult situations by praying the Rosary.  The Rosary is not a prayer to Mary - it's praying with Mary.  She loves us as her children and only wants the best for us.  Her role has always been to facilitate and cooperate with God's plan - she wants to help us get to Heaven where God has always wanted us to be.

I really like the thought of storming Heaven with prayer by enlisting others.  Enlisting the Mother of God in prayer is about as good as it gets.  I can ask her to intercede on my behalf, but I also ask her to lead me closer to Jesus.  She must know the way.

On my lifestyle blog, Straddling the Gap, I said yesterday that I don't like making New Year's resolutions.  However, after hearing our priest talk today I want to accept his challenge to incorporate the Rosary into my regular routine in 2015.

Don't know how to pray the Rosary?  Here are some instructions you can print out and use yourself.

Have a blessed 2015.

CC

Peace

Peace.

Today, January 1, 2014 is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and also World Day of Peace.  What a great day to begin "Comfortably Catholic"!  I already write a lifestyle blog "Straddling the Gap" but have long wanted a forum to express my faith.  Comfortably Catholic describes where I want to be in my faith journey; not "comfortable" in the sense of complacent, but more relaxed, assured, peaceful in my faith.

Peace.

In a world where peace is at a premium, my goal for 2014 is to be at peace.  As difficult as world peace seems, I think maintaining personal peace can be harder.  I love my faith and I love Christ's Church, but sometimes I feel militant and protective in defending it.  There are times when that approach is necessary, but, following the example of Pope Francis, this is a time for proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ with kindness, respect and peace.

Peace.

Mary is the ultimate guide to inner peace.  Despite the turmoil all around her, the fear, the poverty, the responsibility, she modeled a peaceful faith in God.  In return, God gave her the graces she needed to be Theotokos - Mother of God.  She constantly points us to the only source of peace which is found in a relationship with her Son, Jesus Christ.  He's the source of her peace and He can be the source of ours too.

Today I pray for peace.  Peace for the world.  Peace for myself.  Peace through Jesus Christ.

Be still and know that I am God  Psalm 46:10.

CC