Let us consider the words of the prophet Micah: "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19)

When you go and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our Roman Catholic Faith, and you receive His absolution, your sins are forgiven and as the prophet Micah states, God does not remain angry, because He delights in his mercy and compassion. He casts our sins into the depth of the sea. In other words, my brothers and sisters, your sins, forgiven as they are in Reconciliation, are a thing of the past. It is then very bothersome, even arrogant, for people to keep the burden of their confessed and forgiven sins by not being able to forgive themselves. If God says they are thrown into the sea, then by what logic and right can we say no that his wonderful gift of forgiveness?

The year 2004 is about to end, this very day that I am composing this reflection. And what have we to say for ourselves? Has this been a year that we came closer to Our Lord God, or did we get further away from Him, or denied Him altogether by the attraction to sins of the flesh?

In the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (4:21-24), "Assuming that you have heard of Him and were taught in Him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth." We must put on a new self, converting from our former way of life, to a new life that excels in holiness of truth." Read the Word of the Lord (Holy Scriptures), seek to discern how His words apply to your daily living, repent, and love God and your neighbor as yourself, and you're on your way.

I don't believe very much in New Years' resolutions because every year I've made such promises they were forgotten pretty soon. I believe in action. Now! This minute, don't let grass grow under your commitments. Love the Lord as you should and act the way a good Christian would. Not because of how others might think of you, but for your own commitment and integrity, and, of course, because we love God and our sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus.

There are many people who need our urgent prayers. There are the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost home and income in South Asia, along the Indian Ocean. There are many who lost their lives. But it is fair to say that they'll go to heaven because they have suffered more than most of us could. You see, they had no choice, the devastation was too sudden.

Some will undoubtedly blame God for this natural disaster or ask how he could permit this. But God is really not at fault. He loves us so very much. He has given us so much as his creation. He has given us a free will, and that was the beginning of the problems. We misused out free wills. We chose to live the "good life," and that good life was often lived without regard to God and directly opposed to His love and goodness for us.

Rather, we should learn from this disaster. Death can strike at any time. There is usually no forewarning - as was the case with the Tsunami. Will we be ready for death when it comes? When death comes, it is too late. No more time to back peddle and make things right. That's when all changes come to a halt. We would be blessed if in our dying moment we have the presence of mind to ask God for forgiveness for all unconfessed sins. Dedicate your entire life through St. Francis of Assisi, to God. Those who follow the Rule at all times, will be rewarded.

Let's quietly slip into 2005, with the intention to make the new year holier by loving God, and our neighbor as we love ourselves. When we love ourselves, we do not fear or be apprehensive because we know that God is with us. So I wish you a Happy New Year with better health physically and spiritually.

Peace and all Good,

Fred