Not too long ago, I said goodbye to two people who were very dear to me. In what was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, became one of the most difficult times of the year. The passing away of a loved one reminds us that life is short, swift and uncertain. Also, it reminds us that we are all here on borrowed time.

That is why yesterday is the second day of the year 2025. The mere fact that we are able to crossover to this year reminds us of one fact: We still have a mission in this life. Hence, the best way to welcome the new year is to be faithful to the mission that God has given us. Yesterday, we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord Jesus. It was also start of His mission. Three hallmarks of faithfulness to the mission:

• First, Service. The Lord said, “I came to serve and not to be served.” In fact, someone once said, “Service is what life is all about. We are beneficiaries of the service of other people and hopefully, we bless other people’s lives with our service.
• Second, Hope. Economically, 2024 seemed to be a difficult year. This is only one of the many problems. Yet, if God has a plan and with God there is nothing impossible, we are always reminded to find the blessing in every crises, the silver lining in every challenge. Besides, what cannot break us will only make us stronger.
• Relationships. This is what life is all about. This is what puts meaning and happiness in life. Of course, love and forgiveness always go hand and hand. Forgive the people that have wronged us in 2024 so that we may move on and let go in 2025.

Thank you for the year 2024, all the lessons learned as well. In 2025, we pray for faithfulness in the mission just as John the Baptist was: Service, Hope and Relationships.