The events of the past few weeks—earthquake, historic winter storms—as well as those personal tragedies that we have lived though in the past year all serve to remind us of one truth.  We are not in charge.

For many of us this is a truth that is hard to accept.  We like to feel that we are in control.  We want to be able to set the course of our lives and determine the future.  We want to plot the course for the world around us.  Sadly, at some point we all realize that much of this is out of our hands.  We are daily faced with realities that were not part of our plan.  And we’re left with two options—going through life frustrated and angry or turning our lives over to God and allowing Him to help us make sense even of those things we don’t understand and become stronger from them.

If we choose the second option, then we have arrived at the perfect time of year to allow ourselves to let go of our perceived control and open ourselves to a life in which we turn ourselves over to God and allow him to lead us to where we are meant to be.

As we begin the Great Fast, let us empty ourselves of pride, stubbornness, and desire for control and humbly open our hearts and minds to the path upon which the Almighty will lead us.  With Him, even in our darkest moments, we will never be alone.  And in Him we will find the strength to walk the path that is our lives.

With the bestowal of my archiepiscopal blessing upon you, God’s people, I remain

Sincerely in Christ,