New Year’s Blessings

Facts of Life

At the beginning of this new year, may we thank God for the blessing of another year.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”

In order to foster an attitude of blessing, Pope Francis offered advice in his pre-Christmas message to Vatican employees, in a “New Year’s Resolutions” list of sorts:

He reminded them to care for their spiritual life and family life, as well as their relationships with others. He added that they should use care with their words and heal wounds through forgiveness. He reminded them that they should do their work well and combat envy, hatred and negative feelings, as well as laziness. He added that they should stop “pointing the finger” at others, “continuously complaining” and gossiping.