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Something's Been Lost and Must Be Found
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January 1, 2022Every New Year many of us set out on a new path filled with promises to be a better version of ourselves, embrace new goals and establish new systems for successful achievement of our goals. Not all of us have the energy or the abilities to see these new somewhat lofty goals realized, but we at least begin with hope in our hearts and sincerity to master our thoughts. The problem is that we forget that without God included in these plans—we are missing the most important element of our intentions. We can lose our way with the best laid plans.
New Year’s resolutions are tough. We set out to put ourselves on a path of what we think is best for us. We look and listen to others. We are emotionally impacted by social media that attempts to define what is best for us---our looks, our opinions and even our possessions. Many of these resolutions do not come from a soul that is filled with Christ’s light guiding. Our perceptions of what is good for us are oftentimes shaped by the opinions of others and a society that does not prioritize faith in God.
There’s a new trend in 2022 called the “un diet” - a new catch all phrase that devalues any dieting that encourages deprivation. This new movement supports living a more positive life of moderation, healthy detachment from food that harms and a greater emphasis on mindfulness. All of this makes logical sense, but trends reflect what others think you need—might not be what God sees for your path.
Sometimes depriving yourself of some pleasures actually does allow God to fill up your souls with new insights towards better decision making. “Fasting is a way to not just give up what you enjoy most but to experience a poverty of spirit that inspires you to let God work in you more completely. Its purpose is the most grace-filled way to give up what is pleasing to you so that you can remain more centered on prayer and connection to Him”-(pg. 89 The Compass Club)
The New Year can foster greater feelings of loss for many who will never share their intimate feelings of fear and confusion. Having a plentitude of freedoms requires the discipline to actually embrace new decisions and the best path. Sometimes having too many choices and voices in our head can be quite stressful. This can be an overwhelming time for many of us. This thought process can’t be successful or life fulfilling without prayer. God desires to light our path towards peace and remove anxiety, but He can’t act in us if we are already too full with our own ego’s desires.
On January 17, 2022 we will celebrate St. Anthony’s Feast Day, the Patron saint of “lost things”. He's one of my go to Saints as I seem to be more absentminded as I've grown older and miraculously when I do lose my keys, my glasses, etc--he does seem to come through for me! Upon further study though, Saint Anthony's life is a source of inspiration beyond "lost things".
As the Doctor of the Church he was obedient to God’s mission for his life. St. Anthony's passion was to to be a missionary to the Muslims in Morocco unfortunately, he became so gravely ill and had to leave that post and return home. If that illness never happened; he may not have become the Doctor of the Church who we venerate today. His obedience to God’s will led him on a path as a saintly disciple of God’s word, missionary to the poor in his own community and the world as well as our beloved Patron Saint of lost things, the poor, missing persons and the elderly.
Today, I pray to St. Anthony not when I simply lose my phone or car keys, but I’m more aware that my soul is vulnerable to great loss without God’s grace flowing freely. That needs to be our priority. Following in the footsteps of Saints like St. Anthony insure us that we will never be lost as we chart out a path for a New Year filled with hope and promise and we’ll “be as happy as can be”.
