The Christmas Season has now ended and we are in OrdinaryTime once again. However there is nothing “ordinary” about the readings during these times. The Seasons we celebrate and acknowledge in the Church such as; Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter are meant to energize us and bring us closer to the miraculous wonder of our God made Flesh. These are meant to strengthen our resolve during the Ordinary Times, and in turn the Ordinary Times are meant to prepare us to receive the gifts of Easter and Christmas. We can let are senses to dull during these times. Right now the world is doing everything it can to try and erase God from it, but Scripture tells us this is always been an issue with humankind. We get to caught up in self, and we forgot where we have come from. These Ordinary Times in the Church are meant to teach us about Christ’s message about entering into, and having a relationship with the Father. As we start a New Year what steps can we take to better under-stand our God? What questions should we be asking to hear our Lord calling us to Him? How can we then better silence our minds to better listen to the Word?

In this weekend’s Gospel reading we hear Jesus in the temple and He reads from Isaiah the following: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the op-pressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Jesus than announces the fulfillment of the prophecy. That He is the anointed one! This was not met by cheers from those that heard Him say these words, rather chastisement followed Him. It’s so crazy that even today people refuse to listen to His voice calling them. I know I have my “wrestle with God moments,” and every single time it’s because I refuse to just let go and let God. I have to challenge myself to allow the Anointed One to work His miracles in my life. His plans are so much greater than mine. In our world there is no peace, because we do not allow the Prince of Peace to reign in our lives. Our children have anxiety, people are constantly at each other’s throats, and we are allowing a secular world to control our thoughts and actions. We must now fight, with the angels by our sides, to free our minds from the snares of the evil one! What are somethings you can do today to free yourself from the trappings of this world? How can you allow joy to penetrate your hearts on a daily basis? How, in this New Year, will you allow the Anointed One to enter into your life?

This week let us have a joy filled week! Let us rejoice that our God has given us a life to live, and let us live this life well!!! I pray each and everyone of us falls in love with our God, the giver of this amazing existence! Have a wonderful week!