May the Year 2025 Be a Blessing for You!

In 2025, a significant year in our world’s timeline, we are reminded of the passage of time and the impact it has on our existence. The year of the Lord serves as a reminder of our history and the events that have shaped us up to this point. Let us reflect on this momentous year and consider how we can make the most of our time on this Earth.

How can we turn this year into a year of grace and blessing? This must be our constant concern if we wish to do something good and be happy. To make our life worthwhile, we need to form an action plan or a mission statement that shall be our path maker for the rest of this year. Did Jesus have an action plan? Yes, he did. The Gospel of Luke chapter 4, verses 16-22 narrates that Jesus goes to Nazareth where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as was his custom, on the sabbath day, he read the passage from book of Isaiah 61:1-2.

In the passage, we notice Jesus’ five specific mission statements that he was going to work on through his ministry. They are as he states: “To proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18), to “proclaim freedom for the prisoners” (Luke 4:18), “recovery of sight for the blind” (Luke 4:18), “set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18) and finally “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19). After the Lord’s public address, he worked on fulfilling each of these action plans through his ministry until his final self-sacrifice.

Every individual and every organization must have an action plan. To illustrate further, I can share with you something from my ministry. To begin with, I am a loan priest working for the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings. I belong to the Catholic Diocese of Khandwa, India. This diocese was established in 1977. The second bishop of this diocese was a man with great foresight and an organizer. To work with such a person is a blessing for those who seek results in life.

Every year he introduced a missionary meeting for pastors, religious, and laity representatives from each parish and had constant assessments based on its inputs. His first duty was to make a mission statement for the diocese and he succeeded in that and much more. Felicitators who knew church management were called in for guidelines through their expertise. After each session in the meeting, questionnaires were distributed to the assembly and the assembly was divided into groups, and in the group, a mission statement was formulated and followed faithfully. The outcome was excellent. After six years when he was elevated to Archbishopric, he made our diocese a model of self-sufficiency, being progressive and rooted in “faith, hope and charity” (in St. Paul’s language: 1 Corinthians 13:13). All we need is to set a track, walk on it; and we will reach our destination.

Let’s expand on creating a mission statement or action plan to help you progress as an individual or community. Start by reflecting on your values, passions, and goals. Define what success means to you and what impact you want to make. Then, outline specific steps and strategies to achieve your objectives. Consider involving others in the process to create a collective vision and garner support. Communicate your mission or action plan clearly and regularly to ensure alignment and motivation. Track your progress, celebrate small wins, and adjust your plan as needed. Stay committed, resilient, and open to feedback. Keep pushing forward and making a difference!

Maintaining a positive and grounded outlook is essential for achieving success. Focus on setting realistic goals and filling your mind with positivity. Develop an action plan that aligns with your values and serves as your compass for the year 2025. Remember, your thoughts shape your reality. Trust in the power of faith and determination to make your dreams a reality.

Drawing inspiration from Jesus’s dedication to his vision can guide you towards excellence. Just like how the Lord instructed Moses to relay messages to Aaron:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ (Numbers 6:24-25)