Rector’s Reflections

January 18, 2026

 

Dear People of God,  

Our new year is well underway. Christmas Day and the clock striking midnight to begin 2026 may feel like “months ago” to some people. As we continue the winter season, take a moment to reflect upon these great wisdom thoughts.  During these cold, dark days of winter, we all need a spiritual lift to carry us through to the brighter, warmer days of spring.

How to Stay Young, Happy, and Healthy

Throw out nonessential numbers.

This includes age, weight, and height. 

Let the doctor worry about them.

That is why you pay him/her.

Keep only cheerful friends. 

The grouches pull you down. 

If you really need a grouch,

There are probably a few dozen of your relatives to do the job.

Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

Laugh so much that you can be tracked in the store by your distinctive laughter.

The tears happen.

Endure, grieve, and move on.

The only person who is with us our entire life is…ourselves.

Surround yourself with what you love, whether it is family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies…whatever.

Your home is your refuge.

Cherish your health.

If it is good…preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.                           •

If it is beyond what you can improve… get help.

Don’t take guilt trips.

Go to the mall, the next county, a foreign country…but not guilt. 

Tell the people you love that you love them…at every opportunity.

Remember…Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, 

but by the moments that take our breath away.

Keep learning.

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening…whatever.

Just never let the brain idle.

Enjoy the simple things.

When the children are young…that is all you can afford.

When they are in college…that is all you can afford.

When they are grown, and you are in retirement…that is all you can afford!

And may I add – PRAY…PRAY…PRAY!

And we can all use a good laugh…

A retiree in Florida phones his daughter in New Jersey and says, “Honey, I have bad news for you. Your mother and I have decided that 52 years is enough. We’re calling it quits and getting a divorce.”

His daughter yells, “Are you crazy?  What the heck are you saying?  We’re not going to let you do that!”

The father says, “No, we’ve had enough.  We’re getting tired of the same old routine and looking at each other every day.  I don’t want to talk about it, so call your brother in Detroit and let him know.”  And the father hangs up on his daughter.

Panic-stricken, the daughter phones her brother and drops the bomb about their Mom and Dad. “No way, no WAY!” shouts the brother. “This will NOT happen! Stay by the phone. I’ll talk to them and handle this. I’ll call you back as soon as possible!”

The brother phones his father and says, “Dad, Sis just told me you’re getting a divorce. That’s CRAZY!  No way we’re going to let this happen to you and Mom.

We’re both booking planes tonight and flying down to Florida in the morning to sort this out. Listen, don’t do anything till we get there, and you hear me out!  Promise me, Dad. Don’t do anything!”

The old man agreed. He turned his cell phone off with a smile and then said to his wife, “Ok, it’s all arranged, sweetheart. The kids will be here tomorrow for Christmas and, best of all, they’re buying their own plane tickets!”

Winter blessings,

Fr. Greg

P.S. Go Bears and Beat the LA Rams!