Thought for the Day – 1 January – The New Year

Thought for the Day – 1 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The New Year

This is a new gift which God, in His infinite goodness, gives to us.   But every gift of God, demands, on our part, a generous expression of gratitude, which should result in positive acts of virtue.   Gratitude is an empty and short-lived sentiment, unless, it is accompanied by a sincere intention of performing good works.

Time is the price of eternity, because, with time, we can purchase an eternity of happiness or misery.

Consider this great truth – Every year is like a ladder in our lives.   Now, it is necessary that this ladder should lead us, not perilously downwards towards evil but, upwards towards Heaven, even if, with faltering footsteps.

The New Year opens today as a blank page in the diary of our lives.   What do we intend to write there?   The usual inanities and sins, perhaps?

Let us reflect before God and in the light of eternity which awaits us.   This is the time for great decisions.   It is necessary that we should offer our resolutions to God, along with a humble and fervent prayer, that He will strengthen us to comply faithfully with His grace.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci