Tuesday, January 1, 2019

New Year's Blessing



Today we begin 2019, a year filled with hope and opportunity.  Each day is a new beginning and we have been given the gift to live it.  I read that the New Year is like a giant blank book with 365 pages for us to write on.  May we write wonderful books this year.

Prayer for the New Year

God of all time, on this New Year’s Day, we place the days and months of the new year into your hands.  Fill our days with the blessings of family, friendship, laughter, and love. Show us ways to spend our time serving your children in need.  Help us remember to take time to read your Word and to talk with you in prayer.  Amen.

“Ask God what you can do for him today.  No matter how many days, weeks, or years you have wasted, it’s never too late to get started.  Today is a new beginning!”  Gary Zimak

On January 1st, 2019 Pope Francis will mark the annual World Day of Peace with a message titled: “Good Politics is at the Service of Peace.” Pope Francis compels everyone to be engaged in the work of advocating for and with those whose voices are marginalized, to ensure the protection and fulfillment of the ‘youngest and smallest.’

Pope Francis’ Prayer For Peace

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!  We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried.  Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"  Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.  Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words "division", "hatred" and "war" be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother", and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen.  

Pat Schifini, OSU

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