Last night on New Year’s Eve, I lay awake in bed. I had turned off the light at my usual 10:00 bedtime, but because of the fireworks being set off by the college kids down the street…I live near Stetson University…I couldn’t sleep. I was mildly irritated, but not inordinately so. I could imagine the delight of the young adults as their firecrackers burst into vivid colors, lighting up the sky. It’s hard to be mad at kids having innocent fun. Just the same, I was tired and I knew I needed to get up early the next day.

Oh, well. Things could be worse, right?

Regrets and Ruminations

But that’s when things got worse. Despite the many blessings that God had showered on me during 2025, my weary thoughts gave way to regrets about unfinished business of the year. Even with all of my loving relationships within our big, blended family, I mourned the one filial connection that has remained distant and unreconciled despite my repeated attempts to reach out. Forgetting my goals that had been accomplished this year with God’s help, I chided myself over unfinished projects that I had been put on the back burner repeatedly from fear of making a wrong move or of not doing things perfectly. I prayed to Jesus for help to rid myself of negative ruminations. Yet, the more I tried to escape from self-torture, the weaker I felt from the struggle to break free. Finally, around 11:30 p.m., I decided to get out of bed and connect online with friends who might be staying up late to cheer the New Year.

Fireworks to Facebook

Now, there are those who say that friendships online are artificial or inadequate, but I disagree. Lots of my friends in real life are also my friends on Facebook. I think that Facebook is a great way to interact with loved ones, both friends and family, sharing our faith journeys and family events, while supporting and encouraging one another. Not only did I have the opportunity to wish a Happy New Year to my Facebook family and friends, but I was also able to share some saint quotes and faith reflections that were apropos for welcoming another year of Our Lord, A.D. 2026. And yes, I stayed up until midnight…actually I stayed up until 12:23 when the outdoor fireworks finally stopped. By that time, my peace had returned.

Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

In the morning, I attended the 10:00 a.m. Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The Holy Mass celebrated by Father Emmanuel Mbuk, MSP, was truly magnificent worship of Our Lord, while honoring Our Lady as the Mother of Jesus… and our Mother, too. At the beginning of his homily, Father Emmanuel spoke about looking back at the previous year with gratitude, no matter what challenges had come our way. Quoting 1 Thessalonians, 5:18, he said, “In all things, let us give thanks.” Why? Because, said Father Emmanuel, in every situation, Jesus had our back! With Jesus, every challenge became an opportunity for growth. Do we have anxieties? We do not need to prove our self-worth. Let us be grateful and not dwell on our failures of the past. When we fail, we are not to see ourselves as rejected or abandoned. We do not need to earn God’s love. He is our God and we are His children, and He will always love us!

Gratitude + Faith to Strengthen Hope and Dispel Fear

These words of Father Emmanuel sank deeply into my soul. “Listen to him,” I felt the Holy Spirit say to me. “Believe what he is telling you.” And I did, so much so that when we prayed the Our Father before receiving Holy Communion, I had to blink away the tears that welled up in my eyes. Tonight my heart is full of gratitude for faith and trust in the love of God Our Father, of Jesus Our Savior, and of the Holy Spirit who lives and loves inside of me.

+ May peace, joy, and love be yours in 2026 and always.

P.S. Tomorrow I hope to post Father Emmanuel’s full homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Stay tuned!