The end of one year and the beginning of another is usually a time to look back to what has been and to look forward to what can be. To look back or not to look back includes both the positive as well as the negative things. To look forward to what can be or should be possible is also an important exercise.
The prophet Joel, inspired by God, spoke as follows: “I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind. Your old people shall dream dreams and your young people shall see visions”.
It is important to dream, to try to imagine how, for example, we can help in some small way to make the world a better world. “I have a dream”, these words have been immortalized by Martin L. King. The dream was a clear vision of where he wanted to take his people: calling them from bondage to freedom. It was like an Exodus event. Not all of us are called in this way to be leaders. But all of us are called to make our own contribution to its realization. All are called to make a difference in our own and others lifestyles.
Another great visionary of our own time is Nelson Mandela. In just a few short sentences he described his life’s journey as “The long walk to freedom”.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes about the mystery hidden for all ages in God and which now has been made known to us in Christ. It is the dream or vision of God’s plan for the world and the mission of the Church in that plan: to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.
Jesus, our Savior and God, became man to give us full freedom as Sons of God. In Jesus and with Jesus we can realize all our dreams and hopes because he said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart: and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light”.
On the threshold of the New Year 2011 we greet you and convey our felicitations on this blessed occasion. We extend our wishes that the New Year be one filled with faith, hope, love, joy, and prosperity for us all. In the year 2011 we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the consecration of Saint
Gregory Armenian Catholic Church in Glendale, California. May this anniversary be an occasion of spiritual renewal and growth.
May our Lord and Savior be someone to whom we can turn in our weak, joyful and painful moments. May He be our rock, our shelter and our strength.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011
Prayerfully,
Father Krikor Chahinian