Reflections on the New Year and the close of 2014

This wooden cross carved by a chainsaw from a fallen tree on our parish grounds really symbolizes the year of 2014 for me. It is a symbol of hope and the life we have in Christ. It is a symbol of survival and resilience and the ability to find a blessing in the midst of struggle and turmoil. It is a symbol of how the community of Tupelo came together to recover from the tornado that did so much damage in our community, of how our parishioners and so many other came to help our parish in our time of need. A blessed New Year to everyone. And on this New Year, the message of peace that Pope Francis will pray on January 1 gives us hope as well. His theme this year is “Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters.” The pope asks: Do you recognize your brothers and sisters around the world as made in the image and likeness of God, as having equal dignity? For the 2015 World Day of Peace on January 1, the Pope challenges each one to us to recognize every other person as a brother or sister with God-given dignity. Such recognition, Pope Francis says, will lead to peace. To that I say: AMEN! Thank you Pope Francis for giving us so much hope and for challenging us to grow in our faith, to truly be disciples of Christ.