“Without a vision, the people perish.”
You can almost guess the puns that will be associated with the year 2020. And the fact that it is an election year will make it all the more painful. But as we begin a new year, as we start a new decade (I know, I know, it REALLY doesn’t start until 2021. Let it go.) it is important to think about our vision for the future: our own personal one, our future as a parish, our future as a culture and our future as a global society. I could write books on all of those, but let me just sketch some personal and parochial things.
I realize that New Year’s is a time to make resolutions, resolutions that are often discarded and abandoned by the middle of January. But it is important to continue to grow, to change, to develop. How will you develop as a child of God? How will you develop as a person? Two quick suggestions. First, read. A friend of mine at the beginning of the year makes a list of books he intends to read in the calendar year. He usually succeeds. The books are diverse. Sports, history, fiction, non-fiction, classics. Start small. How about 4 books for winter, spring, summer and fall (you are allowed to do more). As I told my students, pick subjects you like. But also know that sometimes the best reads come from left field. (The Autobiography of Rick James!) Second, find time for prayer. I have learned to couple my prayer with my exercise. I pray my Lit-urgy of the Hours while I work out. It works for me. No matter what you decide, do something. AND THEN, here is the key, tell someone else about your resolution to keep you accountable. (I am sorry to use such vulgar language like the word: ACCOUNTABLE.)
Second, what is our vision for Holy Redeemer in 2020? I spent my first few months here just taking it all in. (And there is a lot to take in.) I like a lot of what I see. There is an amazing outreach to the poor. There are good liturgies. The school is amazing. How can we get even better? How can we at HR become that “city on a hill?” I am still working that out, but I believe it means getting more people involved in things. There’s a lot to do. How about this resolution: get involved with something here at Holy. I will leave that up to you, but like reading and exercise, start small.
What is your vision for 2020? Think about it. Because, as the Scriptures say, “without a vision, the people perish.”
Finally, thanks to all who helped decorate the Church, you all went way beyond my expectations. I posted it up on Facebook and Twitter and all of my friends thought it looked amazing.
Thanks also to Todd Senzig, Deacon Steve and the choir, and Rachel Kessler and the kids for giving us all the gift of melody this Christmas. You were stupendous!
Father Kevin