Hello, all! We've just returned to Rome from our week spent in France. There are about 1,000 things I could write about after such an exciting and blessed trip, but a sinus infection prevents me from thinking clearly enough to do so.
Tonight, just a short reflection on something I've been thinking about.
I really just cannot get over how much my life has changed!
When I graduated from OHS in 2010, I KNEW I was going to go to North Central College to study English and Secondary Education, get a job teaching at OHS, teach for a little while, and then work my way to a doctorate and finish my career as the principal of Oswego High School and the retire on Lake Michigan. Totally realistic, right? Chyeah.
The point is, I never in a million years thought I would be sitting in a house in Rome having just returned from a wonderful trip France for Christmas break. I never thought I would travel to the apparition site of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary in Paray le Monial, pray before the body of St. John Vianney in Ars, France, drink from the water at the grotto in Lourdes after attending Midnight Mass on New Year's day there; I never imagined walking the Camino through Spain, viewing the Crown Jewels in London, hearing the organ inside Notre Dame in Paris; I never thought I'd meet a 12 year old who speaks 4 languages like I did in Luxembourg, I never thought I'd be proficient enough in French to explain the love of Christ to a young woman searching for faith on train in Montpelier, be able to carry on a conversation in Italian with the man making me a crepe on the streets of Lyon; I have only dreamed of being within 5 feet of Pope Francis during his weekly audience, singing for him in the choir at Midnight Mass in St. Peter's, walking through Rome in a collar and cassock, and the list goes on. God be praised in all things.
Life is looking to be pretty busy for most people in 2014. There will be the same old tasks to accomplish and there will undoubtedly be new trials and tribulations that come up when we least expect or need them to arise.
But let this be a new year of possibility, of dreaming, of doing; let us be the movers and shakers of our world, setting out to really make a difference and accomplish something beautiful, never for our own benefit but for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in need and for the glory of God! Let this be the year we do the things we've longed to do, we see the things we've dreamed of seeing, and we go the places we've never thought we'd ever visit. Let's finally forgive those people who have wronged us, ask pardon and peace from those whom we've offended, find the peace of mind and heart we so badly desire, and let's tell the people closest to us how much we love and appreciate them. Parents, hug your children and keep them close (even if they're grown up!). Children, cook your parents and guardians a nice dinner every once in awhile.
I think in a certain sense we all desire a life of adventure, of romance, and of great accomplishments. My life in the seminary, my life in Europe, my life with the Lord....this is the life of adventure and romance and accomplishment that I have always sought. My favorite quote from St. Augustine: "To love God is the greatest human romance, to seek him the greatest human adventure, to find him the greatest human achievement."
2014 is here.....are you ready?
"But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!"
Oh, the Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuss
