My 2009

2009 will be another blessed and victorious year. – Dec. 31, 2008

I was asked to explain 2009 in one word. I thought long and hard about it and the only word that truly stood out was Eucharistic. Although the Catholic Church celebrated the Year of the Eucharist in 2004-05, I had my own personal journey with the Eucharist this year.

From the very beginning until the end of the year, my knowledge and love for the Blessed Sacrament of The Eucharist went in one direction: up. I compiled quite a lengthy list of resolutions last year on this day; many of them being a great deal, others not as high of importance. Then, I had no idea about this year and The Eucharist until reflecting on it recently. I’ve included resolutions such as loving unconditionally, having a forgiving spirit, always filling my heart with nothing but love and peace, praising God through suffering, and so much more. I hungered for the Eucharist every day, attending Mass before or after class in Italy, and continuing once I got back home. If I couldn’t receive it sacramentally, I maintained reception spiritually.

As the last days of 2009 drew near, I heavily reflected and evaluated myself on how I’ve done and thanked God for allowing me to achieve those resolutions in moments, that eventually became my way of living…all thanks to the Eucharist. Of course, I’ve fallen short on a few things at times, but there has definitely been great improvement. I’m not who I was last year. From the beginning till the end, it has always been about the Eucharist and my Communion with the Lord molded me into who I’ve become. In no way am I ending this Eucharistic attitude with the ending of 2009. I simply pray that it may always continue upwards for the rest of my life, just as it as always been up throughout all of 2009.

2009 was MOST DEFINITELY a blessed and victorious year. It makes me joyful thinking about how much more glorious the next year can be. Yes, it can only keep going UP from here! Welcome, 2010.