Expect the Best in 2012 and Bless Others

First Reading: Num. 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:

"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them."

Res. Psalm: Psalms 67:2-3 5, 6, 8

Second Reading: Gal. 4:4-7

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection

By Fely Santiago

“The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!“

I’d like to start this reflection with the lyrics of a song by Jose Mari Chan which is very fitting to open the year 2012.And I believe this was also inspired from the same verse from Numbers:

May the good Lord bless and keep you,

whether near or far away.

May you find that long-awaited golden day today.

May your troubles all be small ones,

and your fortune ten times ten.

May the good Lord bless and keep you 'til we meet again.

May you walk with sunlight shining

and a bluebird in ev'ry tree.

May there be a silver lining

back of ev'ry cloud you see.

Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrow.

Never mind what might have been.

May the good Lord bless and keep you..

What an inspiring words to open the New Year! Whatever happened in 2011 whether good or bad is PAST! For amidst all the uncertainties around us because of financial crisis, calamities, loss of job, loss of a loved one, we should remain hopeful. That’s what the new year brings – HOPE. The Lord will bless us. The buffet of blessing is upon us. It’s up to us to stand up and pick up what we want -- growing spiritual life, better health, financial freedom, enhanced family relationships, flourishing career,  new friends, more opportunities to serve and many more. What it requires is faith and action!

Expect only the best this new year. God has given us the power within to make 2012 the best year of our life! The choice is yours. You call the shots. And you can do it very easily, right now!
 All you have to do is set the most powerful intention you can ever set in your life, which is that you will focus only on what you want, think only about what you want, and talk only about what you want. Decide right now to focus only on the positive. And with all your might, with all your strength, with all your willpower - you will focus on your desires! Then offer it to the Lord everyday in prayers.

You will discover that life and all of God’s creation will adjust to your faith and action! Expect the BEST for the coming year and all your dreams will surely come true in God’s perfect time.

But it should not stop there. God gives us blessings so we can bless others! Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and of us all, share the blessings you receive. Go out and serve God’s people. Be a blessing to others. Be Jesus to others. You can share whatever you have. Share you time, talents and treasures and an avalanche of blessings will surely come back to you so you can share and bless others MORE!

A super blessed and truly rich 2012 everyone!

Prayer

Lord, I welcome the New Year with great hope because all these years You have been with me. Thank you for all the blessing, especially the gift of Mary as my mother. Inspired by example, I expect the BEST in 2012! Mold me to be the best that I can be. Like her, use me to serve and bless more people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.