Humility as a New Year begins

The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt thou be judged, unless thou hast lived holily. Therefore be not lifted up by any skill or knowledge that thou hast; but rather fear concerning the knowledge which is given to thee. If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest many things, and understandest them well, know also that there are many more things which thou knowest not. Be not high-minded, but rather confess thine ignorance. Why desirest thou to lift thyself above another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled in the Scripture than thou? If thou wilt know and learn anything with profit, love to be thyself unknown and to be counted for nothing.

That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself The Imitation of Christ Book I Chapter II Sections 3-4

Becoming human in the poor circumstances he did, Jesus surely did not regard equality with God as something to be held onto (Philippians 2:6). He became a marginal person, among marginal people. He lived in an out-of-the-way village, etc.

In January 2018 and January of last year, on that day shortly after New Year's Day, the day before you have to get back to what we like to call "real" life, I posted something from the spiritual classic The Imitation of Christ. On 3 January 2018, I was up late due to the anxiety I felt about returning to my regular routine. As I read a few things seeking help to relieve my anxieties, I found a website featuring Thomas á Kempis' classic spiritual text. After reading it, I composed a post that nothing but what I read and found comforting: a post. Afterward, I was able to go to bed.

Last 3 January, thinking back on 2020 and trying to muster the strength to face 2021, which, at least for me, proved to be a far more difficult year than 2020, I recalled that snowy night a year prior. And so, once again, posted something from á Kempis' spiritual masterpiece. Tonight, as I pray for the strength, the hope, to start 2022, like a lot of people, I feel anxious about what lies ahead.

And so, this Sunday night, as darkness descends, albeit with a lovely sunset, I pray for the humility necessary to fully understand with true wisdom that is Jesus Christ.

Peace to all who read this as you embark on the voyage of 2022. Remember, Christmas is a celebration of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Remembering that God is with us is how you keep Christmas alive all year. As Pope Francis said today in his first Angelus message of this New Year: "God loves to dwell among us."