As you may know, in ancient Roman mythology Janus was the god of new beginnings. In mythology, Janus is depicted as having two faces: One that faced backwards to the past; and one that faced forward to the future. It is easy to understand, therefore, why the month of January was named for Janus since the month occurs at the beginning of each new calendar year. The month of January is the “hinge” between the old year that was, and the New Year that will be. It can be said that the month of January looks to the past and to the future.
During this January 2021, perhaps unlike any other year in recent memory we all have probably longed for a new beginning! In so many ways as we all are aware, 2020 was a tough year. An unprecedented number of hurricanes as well as other natural disasters, racism, racial unrest and disharmony, and of course all that surrounds and has disrupted our lives regarding COVID-19, all of these combined to make 2020 a really tough year. I am certain that many people who would not usually stay up to usher in a New Year did so to usher in 2021, because they were so happy to see the year 2020 consigned to the history books. I do not usually stay up to ring in the New Year, but this time I did! We turn our faces not to the past year, but to the New Year.
As we begin this New Year amidst ongoing challenges, longing for renewal, we all know in faith that there is no greater renewal opportunity that God has given to us than Jesus Christ, the Son of the living and true God. We continue in the Christmas season, still rejoicing in the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. In the joys and challenges of life, God is with us. Therefore, in the joy and challenges of life, yesterday, today and forever, it is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who renews us, and we entrust ourselves to his loving care during this New Year. As we have again embarked upon a New Year, at the very beginning of this year let us together entrust our journey through this calendar year to Jesus Christ, pledging to remain faithful to him every day of this New Year and always.
January is the month when busloads of youth from our diocese usually attend the annual March for Life that takes place in Washington, D.C. This year, however, we will not be participating in the national March for Life due to ongoing concerns with regard to the coronavirus. The tour buses that we utilize place the pilgrims who make the March for Life trip constantly in close proximity to one another. There is no way to adequately social distance on a bus, so this year we made the prudent decision to opt for the safety of all and not make the trip to the March for Life.
I must admit that even though it is a really tough trip in so many ways, the March for Life each year is also a special time of grace for the youth who are able to attend. I am actually going to miss it this year, but look forward in the near future when we are able to again send busloads of our youth to Washington, D.C., to march and stand for the dignity of human life. As this month we again mark the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in our country, let us heighten our prayers and constructive efforts to hasten the end to abortion and to all attacks against the sanctity of human life.
January also ushers in the start of the Mardi Gras season, and I am certain that this year celebrations of Mardi Gras will also reflect the reality that we still live in the shadow and the grips of the coronavirus.
Let us continue to join our voices in prayer for an end to the pandemic, and also continue to keep ourselves and others safe and do what we can to overcome the virus, such as wearing masks, social distancing, washing and sanitizing our hands, and gathering as households or in small groups only. If we do these things, then I know that we will hasten the arrival of the day, hopefully soon, when we can also consign the coronavirus to the history books, and journey together into all that God has promised to us!