A New Year, A New Mission

At the beginning of this year I reflected on the progress I had made as a person and more importantly as a Christian. Of course these two go hand in hand but it is vital to examine how being a Christian makes us a better person. This is to answer all those who witness Christians around the world claiming to be followers of Jesus but performing sinful and often unspeakable acts. And while it is undoubtedly not my place to judge I must vehemently suggest that those who act contrary to what Christ preached fall into two distinct categories: those who are in fact not Christian though they claim to be and those who are in fact Christian but have failed in their mission to follow Jesus Christ.

In examining my conscience, my actions and failures to act I must place myself in the second category. My desire is to follow Christ but I fall short again and again. I say this with both a contrite heart and a resolve to do better and be better. If I did not admit these failings in this context then I could never hope to love God with all my heart, mind, and soul, and love my neighbor as myself.

In looking ahead to the pursuit of my vocation I see that my mission to be a Christian and a better person are even more closely linked than I had ever thought before. As a priest I am a man of God who is dedicated to His service. But I am also a simple man who is trying to witness to others the good Christ has done in me.

The conclusion follows that we are never to allow any virtues we successfully practice, good deeds we perform, or graces that God bestows upon us to make us forget the depravity in which we once lived and could easily return to were it not for the grace and blessings of God.

As I said before, I am not offering a new resolution for the year. I am merely seeking to strengthen my resolve: to be a better man and a better Christian for I know I am not a strong example of either.