“Challenging, chaotic, sad, painful, disappointing, disastrous.”
These were some of the words that parishioners used to describe 2022 as Archbishop Jason Gordon delivered his New Year’s Eve homily at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in San Fernando.
And after enquiring about their 2022 experiences, Archbishop Gordon encouraged the congregation to embrace 2023 with gratitude and generosity. He said even though times were tough, it was important for this country to focus on positivity and spirituality.
“Where difficulty is real we have an opportunity to recognise a central part of the gospel message. That is if you desire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal,” he said.
Admitting that 2022 was a difficult year, Archbishop Gordon reminisced about those who died because of COVID-19.
“A big part was how many people we lost. We couldn’t grieve properly in a proper funeral because of the numbers. Then we have those who lost income and jobs,” he added.
A young parishioner prays during the Old Year’s night Mass at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC, on Harris Promenade in San Fernando on Saturday.
RISHI RAGOONATH
Despite the hardship, Gordon said everyone must refocus in 2023 by improving their spiritual lives.
“Let’s start anew. This is a year where we have a great opportunity to refocus and find a centre. Find God and see what God is asking of us,” he added.
Saying January 1 is always the World Day of Peace, Gordon said people should strive to be peacekeepers and peacemakers.
He reminded the congregation that there are lessons to be learnt from adversity.
“Sometimes, in the course of life when things get difficult, it’s also the time when God is doing something within our lives and within humanity as a whole.
“Sometimes what we see as the darkest moments, are really our greatest grace when God is working, in and through and amongst us,” he added.
Gordon said out of tragedy and loss, grace resonated.
“What is the greatest grace we experienced?” he asked.
“Life!” someone in the audience shouted.
Parishioners praying during the Old Years night Mass at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC, on Harris Promenade in San Fernando on Saturday.
RISHI RAGOONATH
Others chimed in saying: “Endurance, forgiveness, mercy, patience, perseverance, health, courage...”
Gordon said gratitude was important and everyone should strive to be thankful every day.
“Thank God for your graces before you get into 2023. Learn to thank God every time we experience grace. When we experience darkness, we could either choose to curse the darkness or choose to light a light. And one of the bright lights is gratitude. Her twin sister is generosity. Once you become a person of gratitude, generosity is there,” he added.
He urged the population to continue to be inclusive and to build their communities with love and kindness. —RADHICA DE SILVA
