Reflection

As we rapidly approach the end of the school year, I think everyone would agree that we did not see this year coming or shaping up as it did.   Of course it is what it is and what has been, has been. This year we have had to learn a number of lessons and show great flexibility, resilience and adaptability. 

In our community we have experienced great pain and suffering and encountered things in addition to COVID-19  that we also would not have seen coming.   There is a tendency for people to be wanting to write this year off, rush in the new one and we all hope and pray life goes back to something like normal in 2021.   It has been a strange year, a challenging one, but it is beneficial to take a little bit of a longer view of life and reflect a little before we rush out of 2020. 

What is important to us in life?  What is life really all about?  Why are we here?  Where are we going?  These questions are ones pondered by people throughout history and many people today would see family, relationships and love as the things important to them and at the heart of their purpose and deepest desires.  Our Catholic Faith provides some clear answers also to these questions and points to love, the dignity of each and every person, serving others, being on a pilgrimage towards our Heavenly Father and sharing in the very abundant life and love of God. 

Whilst 2020 may have been a challenging year and one with so many things we do not hope to repeat, what do we measure a good year by?  If we reflect on the things mentioned above (love, life, family, relationships, faith, love, for a relationship with and faith in God) – I would suggest if we have grown in these areas, it has indeed been a good year.  This year, with its challenges, has provided unique opportunities to grow in these areas.  If after 2020 I am more loving, closer to God, grown closer to my family, started to deepen some relationships, grown as a person I would say it has indeed been a blessed year.  We give thanks to God for the blessings of 2020 both on us as individuals and as a Community, even those we did not wish for.  We ask God to continue to bless us and guide us to grow in these important areas of life for His glory, for the building up of His Kingdom and so all people may come to know the love and life of God. 

As we look ahead we pray also that the celebration of the birth of Our Lord this Christmas will be filled with peace, love and joy for all Nazarenes and their families and that the holiday is a blessed, relaxing time for families. 

Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide. 

Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.