Perhaps we can do better in 2010?

Monday, January 4, 2010

*John C. Favalora - The Archdiocese of Miami

English Spanish

Ten years ago, we entered the 21st century with wonderful ideals and expectations.
The Holy Father himself, Pope John Paul II, was looking for wonderful change that would come about in our society.

Now, as we look forward to 2010, we come face to face with a lot of disappointments. This new millennium that was hoping for peace and understanding among people has seen a lot of war � including eight years of war for Americans. We also have had a deep recession that has caused serious unemployment in our country.

Most disappointing of all, in our own area, we have seen terrible corruption in government. If I have my figures correct, The Miami Herald recently reported that there are 75 FBI investigations going on in Miami-Dade County alone, investigations of people who have responsible positions in government. And sadly, the sex scandals among religious leaders have seriously affected our Church. This is a terrible thing.

I am sure many people would give different reasons as to why these things are happening. But basically I believe that the reason for these things is that we have not lived by the laws that the Lord himself, the Creator, gave us.

Can you imagine how different our society would be if everybody in Miami-Dade County lived just by the 10 Commandments? We can agree on those because those are the commandments from the Hebrew scriptures; the commandments of the Christians; and the commandments of Muslims. So they pretty much cover everybody.

If everybody lived by those commandments, do you think we�d have stealing and greed going on the way that we have? Do you think we�d have hunger going on the way that we have? Do you think we would have the complete breakdown, in terms of sexual integrity, in marriage as well as outside of marriage? Would we have all of that going on?

And if we did not have all of those things going on, what a difference that would make in life. What a difference that would make in the headlines every day. I have to believe it is very disconcerting for young people to be surrounded by this news of greed and corruption every day.

My personal belief is, if we want a better 2010, 2011 and beyond, we need to follow the laws of the Lord. We always think that we can find a better way because we don�t want to follow the laws of the Lord. But all of the other ways people have sought out to do what they want rather than what the Creator expects of us as his children � every attempt to do it another way � fails.

When are we going to learn? Perhaps we might learn in 2010.

Most Reverend John C. Favalora
Archbishop of Miami

Comments from readers

Maria Jose Mitsoulis - 01/07/2010 02:49 PM

Archbishop Favalora, thank you for your blog. I keep praying for things to get better for 2010. Choices that we make have consequences and these consequences affect us and affect others as well. Let's continue praying for everyone to make the right choices wherever we are in our daily routine and be there for each other. Thank you.

John Carpenter - 01/07/2010 10:15 AM

I am profoundly grateful for our Archbishop Favarola's message. My hope and prayer is that the leaders in our community and region will receive and abide by''-and be supported by''-Our Lord's direction. The need is so very critical in our own community and region.

Thanks so very much for the pastoral leadership of our Archbishop.

Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 01/06/2010 04:59 PM

Dear Archbishop,
I am a firm believer that we are living the best of times and the worst of times. It depends on how we choose to look at it. I have to agree with Brother de Mari's words. After 41 years involved in Catholic education and seeing the wonderful product that comes out of it, I can honestly say that we are living the best of times. Abraham Lincoln said that a house divided into two can not stand. Our solidarity as Catholics with a true desire to embrace our faith will let the world that we are Christians by our love and thus we permeate deeply and positively our society.
Respectfully,
Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D., Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul School

Richard DeMaria - 01/04/2010 11:17 AM

Archbishop :To have kept our Archdiocese afloat during this very difficult decade is a reflection of your faith and perseverance . I am grateful.

Maria Jose Mitsoulis - 01/07/2010 02:49 PM: Archbishop Favalora, thank you for your blog. I keep praying for things to get better for 2010. Choices that we make have consequences and these consequences affect us and affect others as well. Let's continue praying for everyone to make the right choices wherever we are in our daily routine and be there for each other. Thank you.

John Carpenter - 01/07/2010 10:15 AM: I am profoundly grateful for our Archbishop Favarola's message. My hope and prayer is that the leaders in our community and region will receive and abide by''-and be supported by''-Our Lord's direction. The need is so very critical in our own community and region.

Thanks so very much for the pastoral leadership of our Archbishop.

Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 01/06/2010 04:59 PM: Dear Archbishop,
I am a firm believer that we are living the best of times and the worst of times. It depends on how we choose to look at it. I have to agree with Brother de Mari's words. After 41 years involved in Catholic education and seeing the wonderful product that comes out of it, I can honestly say that we are living the best of times. Abraham Lincoln said that a house divided into two can not stand. Our solidarity as Catholics with a true desire to embrace our faith will let the world that we are Christians by our love and thus we permeate deeply and positively our society.
Respectfully,
Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D., Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul School

Richard DeMaria - 01/04/2010 11:17 AM: Archbishop :To have kept our Archdiocese afloat during this very difficult decade is a reflection of your faith and perseverance . I am grateful.