by Fr. Justin Fulton
Happy New Year! May the peace of Jesus Christ flood into your hearts and may that Peace take away all anxieties, fears, and tribulation. God loves you. He created you out of love. He created you for love. He loves you. Don’t ever forget that!
As I sit here and type, I have the fresh aroma of ground Folgers sitting here in my coffee cup. I like my coffee straight black. Coffee is a ritual and an elixir that starts me up and keeps me going. I am a fan of coffee.
Coffee beans sure are amazing. Imagine a tiny little soul giving up its own identity, not thinking of itself, being crushed and losing its own form to be consumed by a human being to give vigor, life, freshness and joy when a person really, really needs it....
Oh—I suppose just like Jesus Christ!
No wonder why coffee attracts the masses!
In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus gives us His own being. Bruised, crushed, blessed, broken, and given away.... He comes to us in a REAL way to give us vigor, freshness, joy, and Eternal Life!
The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of everything! And as children of God, as Catholics, we are given this Gift to be consumed not only every weekend, but indeed every day.
Coffee gives up its plant soul for a greater good—human consumption.
Jesus gave Himself up so that we can become like Him.
Coffee and the Eucharist should remind us that we too are called to give of ourselves, and indeed give our very lives, up for one another and for God. Every day we are called to think less of ourselves and more about another, and more about God. When we give of our goods and our being we become more loving and joyful. Stewardship is not a bad word or a catchphrase. Stewardship is Jesus. Stewardship is Eternal Life.
During this New Year may we commit ourselves solely to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ in prayer, in Scripture, and in the Eucharist. He will expand our hearts and we will become more like Him. May we have a deeper love for Him and for our neighbor. And may we live greatly knowing the joy of serving God and neighbor with our lives.
Thank you for loving God and your neighbor through your prayers and support of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska!
Happy New Year! God loves you. Don’t ever forget that.
