Turn Loss Into Gain

"O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain.” St. Teresa of Avila

The new year brings new resolutions, new dreams and sometimes regrets. I was at the gym yesterday and it was full of people – many of whom I have never seen before. It seems people are ready to make some changes. The difficulty with these changes is that they come from within and not necessarily from God. Intentions are great and they can lead to great accomplishments. Maybe some of those people at the gym will continue to follow the road to weight loss. I do not want to belittle the desires of the people who make resolutions. Dry January, quitting smoking and getting into shape are just a few examples. However, the struggle for many at the beginning of the year are regrets of the past. God really does make crooked lines straight.

“Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.” St. Francis de Sales

St. Maria Goretti suffered at the hands of her assailant, Alessandro. She died in hospital forgiving her attacker. Alessandro spent time in prison and upon his release, he went to see her mother. She knew who he was; she couldn’t forget. On the balcony of St. Peter’s, Pope Pius XII declared Maria a saint with her family present. Also present was Alessandro. He surely regretted what he had done. St. Paul was present when St. Stephen was stoned. Upon his conversion, he surely regretted many things, yet he still became a soldier of Christ. Blessed Bartolo Longo lived a life of evil and debauchery, but he returned to the Church and became a saint. It must have been so dramatic for him. What must have gone through his mind? God knows and He uses everything because He wants to save each one of us. Nothing is wasted with God. He will use any means. He does not abandon His children.

“Do something beautiful for God. Do it with your life. Do it every day. Do it in your own way. But do it!” St. Mother Teresa

What can we do for God? There are many roads. Recently I received some messages from people I know who are looking at new roads in their lives. I listen to them and try to understand and help when and where I can. But none of this is my doing. It belongs to Another. How will God bring this to fruition? We can only wait and see. We must do our part, and the Lord will do His. We need to be available for others and over the Christmas break I tried to do this. Sometimes I hear from people who spent Christmas alone. This makes me sad. We can do so much for others. Let’s look around us and see who needs our help.

“What we need most, in order to make progress, is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language He best hears is silent love.” St. John of the Cross