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No matter what came before, the arrival of a new year is a clean slate.
It’s a time to be hopeful, when we resolve to live better and accomplish more—whether that means losing weight, eating healthier or praying the Rosary every day.
A new year is also a time of challenge, as we move forward in an era of uncertainty and tumult in the world and, for many of us, personal and family difficulties as well.
We know, of course, that the world’s problems—poverty, wars, terrorism, refugee crises—will not be solved with the turn of a calendar page.
We know, too, that illness, abandonment, job loss, homelessness and more can strike anyone at any time.
But we nevertheless feel refreshed and renewed with the start of a new year. No matter what, we got through the past year and, with that, will be stronger for the next one.
Cardinal Dolan, in a recent op-ed essay in the Daily News, reminded us that resilience is a trait of the human condition, recognized by poets, philosophers and theologians through the ages.
“People of faith have an old sound bite: God never asks us to do something without giving us the grace to do it,” he wrote.
“We have a God of second chances, a Lord who never tires of giving us a fresh start.”
Pope Francis made a similar point at a New Year’s Eve service at the Vatican, saying that retracing the events of 2015 may recall moments of both joy and sorrow, but it also offers a moment to understand the presence of God who “renews and sustains with his help.”
We’re going to need God’s sustenance here at home in 2016, as we gear up for a presidential election race that seems driven as much by voter anger as by concern for candidates or issues.
We’re gingerly hopeful, however, in New York, that we’ll see a new spirit of ethics and effective governance in Albany after a tumultuous 2015 that saw two of our top state legislative leaders convicted in corruption cases.
We’re very pleased with a recent decision by our New York City leaders to provide security guards in many of our Catholic schools, adding to the already high peace of mind enjoyed by parents, students and staff.
And we’re looking ahead to an archdiocese refreshed and renewed as Catholics settle into a new year with the Making All Things New parish reorganization plan in place and running smoothly.
All in all, we think that Cardinal Dolan’s words rang true when he quoted an old prayer in his New Year’s essay: “For all that has been, I thank God! For all yet to come, I trust God!”
A Happy and Blessed New Year to all.
