God's Presence in the New Year

As we begin the New Year 2008, we continue to celebrate the Christmas Season. No matter what the year or season, the Church reminds us that we must continue to look for the presence of God in our own personal lives and in the world. In our own lives, the search is never-ending. We just don't find God one time and then we stop searching. As pilgrims on the way to the Eternal Kingdom we are always looking for the presence of the Father, Son and Spirit in our lives and in our world. And there are many things that each one of us can do to enable us to keep God's presence foremost in our minds and hearts.

We can continue to discover the presence of God through the giving of our selves. When we are present and give to others, we are following the example of our Heavenly Father who has given us everything. When we give of ourselves, we give our presence, our time, our money, our attention, our affection, and our concern.  In this self-donation we open ourselves to the possibility of finding God.

The Scriptures reveal to us in so many ways how people found God in one another. Mary found peace and hope by visiting her cousin, Elizabeth. The Magi found solace, contentment and personal satisfaction when they followed the star that led them to the Christ Chile . Mary Magdalene found forgiveness and consolation when she washed the feet of Christ with her tears and dried them with her hair.

We are all seekers in this life. We are all searching for one another. In the simple words of a well known song : People, people who need people are the luckiest people in the world. We all need the presence of another. We need each other and are a part of each other.

We find God in giving and receiving. Giving our love to others, and receiving God's love in the many small wonderful things that come our way.  As Brother Hibernians may we all continue to search and find as we enter a New Year of God's grace.

With every blessing and best wish for the New Year, in Unity, Fraternity and Christian Charity,

Father Tom O'Donnell Allegheny County/Pennsylvania A.O.H. State Chaplain