I love asking the Holy Spirit to give me a word to guide my new year, which usually ends up being some kind of virtue that needs cultivating in my life: discipline, docility (teachability), etc.
This New Year’s Eve morning, before I even had a chance to pray, I awoke with the Latin word “sapientia†repeating in my mind. I realized that this was my “word†from God, though I couldn’t remember what it meant exactly and had to look it up.
(Drumroll…)
It means “wisdom,†(I can always use more of that!) and it is considered the first and greatest of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit received at baptism. According to St. Bernard, it both illumines the mind and instills an attraction to the divine.
So how do I grow in wisdom if it is a gift? I can think of only one way: By spending more time with the gift-giver. 💗
I encourage you to pray for a word to guide you in the new year. Please feel free to share it below!
P.S. As I looked for an image for this post, I came across this one from McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland—where I went to school! God is so fun.
Collection: University of Edinburgh; Persons: N/A; Event: N/A; Place: McEwan Hall; Edinburgh; Scotland; UK; Category: University Buildings; Description: Details from the ceiling spaceof the McEwan Hall during the 2016 refurbishment of the building.
My word is Peace. It resounds in my heart readily and comes to mind even before I formally ask for a word – while I am still just beginning to think about asking for a word.
Jen Fulweiler has a site that will help you find your word and your saint for the year. I do this w my kids and they love it!
http://www.wordoftheyear.me
http://saintsnamegenerator.com
My word is Love.
I have been reading The NY Times bestseller ‘Evidence of the Afterlife ‘- a scientific study of near death experiences in 1300 around the globe! The principal experience of the afterlife was Love! As soon as a person had left their body, they felt surrounded by Love- the presence of God! It is clear to me that we will be judged by the amount of love in our hearts and the love we show to others during our life! This is a fabulous read!
I also went to Edinburgh University- Medical School- I took many exams in the McEwam Hall! Thanks Kitty for the info- It makes me want to visit again so I can read the inscriptions ! Wishing you all a blessed 2019!
My word was lead as Jesus and Blessed Mary did and do. To lead others to Christ by attempting to imitate Christ and Blessed Mary in all I do and also beginning things such as Marian Consecration at the parish.