Healing miracle and soothing balm:

For restlessness

		Notes from the  Vicar General  Msgr. Paul J. Swain

The lights are off, the decorations stored, the music less festive as the Christmas season ends and we return to ordinary time.

It is easy to get caught up in the hoopla surrounding both the secular and Church celebration of Christmas. Hopefully our spirits are lifted but perhaps we are only distracted by the traditions and busyness of the holidays.

It is in ordinary time that we spend most of our days and it is in ordinary time when restlessness often arises.

Restlessness comes from pressures at work or in family, concern about terrorism or the economy, or dealing with others who are not always friendly or fair. It comes with sickness, aging, fear of the unexpected, and rapid change. Like Job, we have days when we doubt we will ever see happiness again.

What began at Christmas

Our response to such restlessness often is to challenge God. Why did God send me this burden? Why is God punishing me in this way? How can a God of love do this, allow this?

In faith we know that God does not impose hurt or harm, we are good at that ourselves. We do believe that God uses these moments for healing, for deepening faith if we allow him. But in our down time, we wonder and worry.

We want to call 911 and have all difficulty of living removed, or we wish for miracle cures. Pain relieving pills which promise instant relief make up a billion dollar a year industry.

Interestingly much of the misery of past generations has been eradicated with the tremendous strides in medicine, science, conveniences, and communication. And yet, with all that progress, suffering continues and we become restless.

Quiet prayer

The one healing miracle that can calm is what began at Christmas, the Father sending his Son that we might have life and live it to the full. In his suffering and death, we discover that these are a part of life, but only a part. God's love is a greater and stronger part.

Someone described Jesus as "the tears of God," tears for us in our human frailty. His humanity allows us to relate to him. We too may ask, "Father, take this cup from me," but always with the understanding, "yet not my will but yours be done."

He took his suffering and made it holy, used it to point us to the Father. We need only to look to the cross for a reassuring reminder of the depth of God's love. From it can come the strength to cope with our burdens and to bear them with hope.

One soothing balm is prayer. When we take time in quiet prayer, we settle down and regain perspective, uniting ourselves with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Grounded in regular prayer we can sing with conviction the psalm, Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

Through prayer we can be reassured that in this world and especially in the next, we will know happiness again, despite our personal aches and pains and the doldrums of winter and ordinary time.

Include service to others:

When making New Year's resolutions

		Common-day  Spirituality  Mary Rose  Remington

'Tis the season for making New Year's resolutions.

Millions of people recently vowed to lose weight, quit smoking, complete degrees, spend more time with family -- the list goes on and on.

Personally, I'm all for it -- making commitments to improve mind, body, and spirit. Each year I take stock and create one realistic goal for each arena in my life: marriage, family, church, career, physical health, and friendships.

Even when I don't accomplish every goal, I find this process helps keep me balanced, moving, and improving.

This year I invite you to include service to others when making New Year's resolutions. Jesus told us, "Your greatness is measured by your service to others."

Give to those in need

Admittedly not all of us have what Mother Teresa had, but we each have time, talents, and resources to give to those in need. Statistics report that the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to widen.

Are you one of the haves? Will you agree to share your God-given blessings in some way?

For what goes around comes around: Unless we strive to eliminate the problems, the needs of a hungry world will -- sooner or later -- come crashing down on us through crime, violence, illness, and despair.

Listen to God's voice

Seek an issue that you are passionate about resolving. Read the newspapers and notice what pulls on your heartstrings the hardest.

What are the tragedies and hardships in life you can hardly stand to hear about? Trust that these are the ones that God is calling you to work on.

If you find an organization currently working on the problem, great! Give them a call and volunteer. Even a few hours a month will help.

Better yet, find a need in your community that hasn't been addressed yet.

"Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person-to-person," advised Mother Teresa.

Help through church

The easiest way to serve others may be through your church.

Most parishes have multiple outreach programs including affordable housing efforts, summer paint-a-thons, Habitat for Humanity, bloodmobiles, feeding the hungry, supporting unwed mothers, plus other community service efforts.

Call your parish office for its list of programs and how you can help.

As you celebrate the feast of the Epiphany -- the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus -- strive to manifest the divine spark of God within you by loving and serving others.

Mary Rose Remington, a member of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Eagan, Minn., is a writer, career coach, and speaker.