NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: An unidentified New York City firefighter walks away from Ground Zero after the collapse of the Twin Towers September 11, 2001 in New York City. The World Trade Center’s Twin Towers and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists using commercial airliners as missiles. (Photo by Anthony Correia/Getty Images)
But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.
Do I walk with Him!
Last week the apartment complex that my wife, Anna, and I live sent a chimney sweep to inspect our fireplace. There was a fire in one of the units and management had all of the fireplaces checked out. The man came and of course I had to joke with him that he looked nothing like Dick VanDyke who played a chimney sweep in the movie, “Mary Poppins”. He shook my hand and as the tradition goes, I would have good luck for the New Year if I shook his hand.
Our world is broken. My parents, grandparents, and great grandparents lived in a broken world as well. Our children and grandchildren will also live in a broken world. My ancestors were good people. They did not focus on their broken world, but on themselves. My sister and I were lucky enough to meet my sweet great grandfather, Pops. He was a gentle, hardworking man of faith. What he and I are most interested is in doing the will of God in our life. The truth is located in the first reading from 1John, The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The world in which we live needs to make this their New Year’s resolution. Like all others we may fail but be need to recommit ourselves every day to this truth.
There is enough hate in the world and in individual families that we need to let loose of as excess baggage. I am not focused on terrorism or hate of other people or countries or hurt feelings in families. The truth is located in the commandments. They are God’s love language for us. How did Jesus the most sinless person on earth use the Commandments to show us how to live? Jesus throughout the Gospels shows us the truth of someone living the commandments.
I didn’t forget the Blessed Virgin Mary who was also born without Original Sin. Her life mirrors the life of her son.
Our broken world will be there tomorrow. We have a choice to be baggage free and follow the Truth of Jesus and act more like Him. In the words of Simeon, ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’
Happy New Year!
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land! Pray for peace!
