Sunday reflection 1 Jan 2023 Gospel Luke 2: 16-21

This is an upload of a reflection on the Sunday Gospel for 1 Jan 2023, the first in a series on Applying the Gospel in our Lives. It emphasises the need for the faithful to take responsibility for building our own relationship with God, in the same way we take responsibility for our work and family. Text below. Nimmi Candappa - Evangelisation Coordinator for St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church stcatherinecarolinesprings.org.au Ph: 8351 9822 Sunday Gospel Reflection on Luke 2: 16-21 1 January 2023 First day of the year. Today’s Gospel reading gives us some fodder for thought to take into the new year. When the shepherds were given a message – they followed through. When Mary heard and saw what was happening, she pondered over these things. As the Shepherds returned to their homes, they gave glory to God. When we are responsible for a job, and we have a boss to answer to, most of us are diligent in completing our tasks, and managing our responsibilities. We follow through with all our tasks, we plan, debrief and reflect on previous tasks so we can improve; we are conscious of attributing credit to the right employees, encouraging each other, building community. Yet when it comes to our faith, many of us do not see this as something for which we need to take responsibility. While most of us have aims to grow in our faith each new year, following through with this is often difficult. Most of us will find time for Sunday Mass but daily prayer time can get neglected amidst the pressure of daily lives. We have ample resources online that can help us reflect and ponder on Scripture or better understand Church teachings or explain faith to our children – but the tiredness of the day, or the latest Netflix series, or a string of social engagements, overpower our good intentions. We are aware of how much God intercedes and helps in our everyday lives but we forget to regularly glorify God for this, at most giving a cursory thanks as we move onto what is next on our task list. We forget that we, as people of faith, each contribute to building others up and building community. What would happen if we saw faith for what it really is? A vital, non-negotiable source of nourishment for life. Most of us are not silly enough to not eat because we do not have time. More and more, we are encouraged to find time for proper sleep and exercise. Because we know that these are critical for us to function as humans. Non-negotiable aspects of being human. So too is faith; so too is a real relationship with God. Without opening our hearts to God, without taking our faith seriously, we might look good on the outside but we will start shrivelling on the inside. Let us make faith a priority this year.