Perspective

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Diocese of Palm Beach Family Life Coordinator

Happy New Year!  November 29 marks the beginning of a new Liturgical Year.  We begin Advent with Liturgical Cycle B and similar to the beginning of a new calendar year, it is a great time to reflect on this past year’s spiritual journey.   When I look back, I realize this year was different and I need a different perspective.  It has been a year of spiritual turmoil…but also, a year of great spiritual growth.  There have been many moments of desolation but there are so many moments and blessings for which to be thankful.  In 2020 we have had to find new ways to relate to others and new ways to minister to others.  What is God trying to show us in all these changes?   

I was reflecting on the many great homilies I heard over the past year.  It is crazy to think that many of them were online or on TV in my living room with my family gathered around our makeshift altar.  It was not the best way to worship, it was certainly different, but by the grace of God and technology, we could still praise Him in our community, our domestic church. While we did receive spiritual communion, “at home Mass” brought a longing for the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and what a great lesson we learned from this…perspective.  In several homilies I heard about the times of religious persecution, times when people had to hide in caves, forests, or even basements to give praise to God. Today, some people must still hide to praise God and many communities wait for a priest to visit before they can attend Mass…perspective.  One of my favorite homilies stressed the privilege of voting for a candidate who will lead our nation.  Whether our preferred candidate is elected or not, life goes on.  Christ is still and will always be King of Heaven and Earth.  We praise Him morning, noon, and night. We thank Him for the graces we receive and the blessings of creation.  We pray for our daily bread, for mercy and forgiveness.  We are loved by Him who made us in His image and likeness…perspective. 

Let this Advent be a time to adjust your perspective.  We have so much to be thankful for, it is right in front of us!  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Perspective!

Here is what the Church and Scripture have to say…

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.

Prayer for Spiritual Communion:  My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.

Romans 8: 37-39 – In all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 5: 1-16 – When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.  Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  “You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?  It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.  Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”