By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“See, I am creating new heavens and new earth; the former things shall not be remembered nor come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).
God tells us to rejoice in all things. Finding true joy and peace in our culture is sometimes challenging. The reluctance to defend truth with integrity contributes to the confusion. What is right and what is wrong is not indefinable. God gave us free will and the gift of conscience to understand the value of every soul. Imagine a world where everyone embraces the mercy and love of God in all things!
The Lord calls us by name and knows everything about us. He offers reconciliation to us through the ministry of the Catholic priest. The beautiful sacrament of Reconciliation saves us from falling into sin. There is a personal dimension in forgiveness. Sin is personal, and so is our healing! Offending God is not taken seriously, and we all have reason to ask for absolution. When we personally forgive someone, true healing begins. Forgiveness by the grace of God gives back the youthfulness of the heart.
The Lenten season of 2025 will soon bring us into the holiest week of the year. The Triduum in the passion and resurrection of Christ are a true witness of forgiveness and sacrificial love. The gift of redemption should be on our minds and in our hearts every day. Nothing can destroy our joy when we surrender to God.
Pope Benedict XVI said, “First and foremost look into your own heart, think of all the love your heart was made to receive, and also the love it is meant to give, after all we were made for love.”
I discovered a book titled: “Who Believed in You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World.” This book, written by Dave and Dina Powell McCormick, shares a great concept of encouraging the best in young people. I always tell people, “Be the person you needed when you were a child.” In every person, teacher, coach, friend and those in ministry, there is an opportunity to inspire the full potential in young people. This generation needs a relationship with God to balance the influence of social media and artificial intelligence.
The idea of being physically present and developing a loving relationship with others is exactly what God calls us to do. “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). There is nothing in this world you need more desperately than Christ. Life with Jesus is not a religion — it is a relationship — the way, the truth and the life!
We are aware of the victory on the cross before we wake up on Easter morning to celebrate the Resurrection. We understand that Pentecost comes 50 days later when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and gave birth to the Church we love. The gifts of the Holy Spirit and the institution of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church belong to us. If you want to mentor a generation of lost souls and renew God’s beautiful world … what are you waiting for? We have the power of the Holy Spirit in our life! Be the person God needs you to be! Renew the face of the earth! Amen!