“For your part, lead a new life.” 7th Counsel
January is about the beginning of another year, resolutions, starting over, promises, new goals, new life, new hopes and dreams, a better tomorrow, deeper faith, finding God, and the list goes on.
Each day is another opportunity for us to start over and begin again. It does not have to be January 1 to make decisions or resolutions of how we want to live a better life. Each day is a new day! St. Angela is just reminding us that we are called to make a difference today. The wonderful thing about our God is that we have been given free will; we are free to make decisions and choices that can make life different from yesterday, especially if yesterday didn’t seem to be a “good” day.
St. Angela tells us to choose new life. Choosing new life is about attitude. Winston Churchill says, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Our approach to life and all its challenges and joys provides possibilities to bring life to others and to breathe life into them. This allows the spirit within them to break forth into a new light, thus bringing new life and new possibilities.
Start each day by thanking God for the day before, then asking God to be present in the busyness of your life today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. God brought light into our world, our day, our life. Let it shine!
This quote seems to sum up well what St. Angela is saying to us:
“We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some of us: it is in everyone,
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
Give other people permission to do the same.”
From Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love
Sister Donna Frey, OSU
Ursuline and Catholic Identity