A New Year of Unity and Grace

Dear and Honored Friends,

Happy New Year’s Day tomorrow! May 2024 be sacred to you, rich in friendships with God and one another.

May we bypass the potential for disaster and embrace the possible and life-giving.

May the Holy thrive in us.

The first day of the new year, in the Catholic liturgical calendar, is the feast of the Solemnity of Mary – Mary, who is the Mother of God and our Mother as well. Mary knows the mind of God. She knows how immense, singular and undying God’s love is for each of us and all people.

Once, at Tepeyac, near Mexico City, Mary – who after that became known as Our Lady of Guadalupe –appeared to Juan Diego. She asked him, “Why are you afraid? Am I not here who am your Mother?”

In his homily on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, 2015, Pope Francis prayed for all of us who walk the earth; “May we convert” he prayed, “and become a merciful people, and may all Christian communities be oases and sources of mercy, witnesses to a charity that does not permit exclusion.”

A charity that does not permit exclusion. That’s a reach worth making.

In theory, the People of the Book – Christians, Jews, and Muslims – honor each other’s faith as we care for one another and our common home, the earth. In practice, violence, hatred, and distrust lace our attitudes toward one another. We are anything but gracious to each other.

We accept animosity as a way of life.

What if, in this new year, we really did commit ourselves to all-inclusive charity? What if we welcomed to the table of our heart Muslims, Jews, and Christians without exception?

What follows is a prayer to keep, use and share. Promoted by Pax Christi USA/ Fellowship of Reconciliation, it offers us a fresh way to begin this new year as a time of unity and grace.

                    O God, you are the source
                    of life and peace.
                    Praised be your name forever.
                    We know it is you who turn
                    our minds to thoughts of peace
                    Hear our prayer in this time of war.

                    Your power changes hearts.
                    Muslims, Christians, and Jews remember,
                            and profoundly affirm,
                    that they are followers of the one God,
                    children of Abraham, brothers and sisters;
                    enemies who begin to speak to one another;
                    those who were estranged
                    join hands in friendship;
                    nations seek the way of peace together.

                    Strengthen our resolve to give witness
                            to these truths by which we live.

                    Give to us:
                            Understanding that puts an end to strife;
                            Mercy that quenches hatred, and
                            Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.

                    Empower all people to live in your law of love.

                    Amen.

Blessed and ever-fresh New Year!

~ Sister Joan Sobala