A Fresh Start

09-03-2017Weekly ReflectionFr. Brian Jazdzewski

Carrie Venner and the other teachers at our Saint Boniface Catholic School have been fervently working thisweek preparing for the upcoming academic year. I was a brief part of the in-service on Tuesday morning. Ourconversation included some remarks about the beginning of a school year and the fresh start which the new yearaffords. We reflected on our desire to give each and every student a new chance to begin anew; being sensitivethat their attitudes may have changed over the summer; hopefully for the better. We also hope students andfamilies give us and our programs a fresh start which can always bring about a greater good.

The sense of a new start is echoed among many in the academic world. The excitement and anticipation is alsopart of the mindset among many parents and their students. A lot of things are new about the beginning of anacademic year and we ought to rejoice in that freshness.

There is another similar angle to fresh beginnings. We typically, no matter our age, want another chance. Howrich might you be if you had a dollar for every second chance you received? We might do well to rememberthat the past liturgical year was about our focus on the Year of Mercy. We were intentionally reflecting onGod’s mercy, generosity, blessings, graces and love so freely given to us. We were invited by Mother Churchto consider what we might do in return for His mercy shown to us. While we journey through this year, wereflect upon the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. Among the loudest message she gave to us herchildren was to repent of our sins and turn back to Jesus. Her miraculous influence was not unlike the naturalphenomenon of a solar eclipse. She told the three pilgrim children that on October 13, 1917, the sun wouldcircle three times: over 70,000 people were present to witness that miracle.

Considering the mercy of God, combined with the message at Fatima, we ought to once again spend timereflecting on how to sacramentally receive God’s mercy. We know that we can always spend time praying forthe mercy of God; and since He loves us, He grants that mercy. More intentionally, we know through theChurch that we are assured of God’s mercy when we make a good confession in the Sacrament of Penance. Within the Sacrament, the priest prays the words of absolution on behalf of Jesus. Those words guaranteeforgiveness from the sins confessed; the Sacrament of Penance is our religious way to gain a fresh start withJesus. Our minds and hearts find so much good from receiving absolution that we are often overcome withpeace and strength to make better choices in the future.

We ought to realize how blessed we are to have the Sacrament to choose our time and opportunities for a goodspiritual cleansing. Sadly, there are moments in life when our choices diminish rather quickly. We only need tolook to the south to see how devastating a hurricane can be. When we have been met with moments of intensesuffering we cry out for God’s aid. Constantly, we are reminded that we ought to avoid waiting for thosesituations to arise. We can respond to the stirrings in our hearts and come to the Lord sooner than later. And sowe pray for all people who suffer and become ever more grateful to the God who has given us so much. Maythe excitement of a new school year lead you deeper into your personal relationship with Jesus and discovercourageous ways to find fresh starts with Him.