Today is the first day of 2022.  Happy New Year!

Let us greet each other.  “Happy New Year!”

 

We will bless all of you with the words from Numbers:

“The LORD bless you and keep you!” (Numbers 6:24)

“The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:26)

 

2022 is the year of Tiger.  Tigers appear in proverbs and children’s stories.  

We are familiar these phrases and stories:

When Tigers used to smoke

Even Tigers come when they are called

When you concentrate you could escape even if you are bitten by a Tiger 

Tiger and Sweet Persimmon

Siblings who became Sun and Moon

Tiger and beanie grandma

 

The tiger we know symbolizes strong leadership and independence along intense passion and integrity.  I hope in 2022, you are able to live with the positive attributes of a tiger.  

 

However, Tiger also represents fear and anxiety.  In the old days, due to persistent tigers’ attacks in villages, they used to say “for a half a year, people hunted tigers and the other half, tigers hunted people.”

 

There are many positive attributes of a tiger but the important meaning in 2022 would be how to overcome fear and anxiety.  How can we overcome them?  You can, if you catch a tiger.  

Should we catch a tiger?  You will be successful in 2022, if you do.  Let’s try.

 

There is a poem by Nohae Park: “How to catch a tiger.”

Child, be bold

When you feed a cow and 

If you run from a Tiger

Both will be eaten

 

When you open your eyes

Tightly hold cows harness

Attack tiger with cow’s horns

 

When eyes are closed and turn 

Fear has already taken over you

You cannot use any strength

 

Hold on to mind’s harness

Face fear head on

You can defeat Tiger

Thus be bold, Child

 

Virgin Mary caught a tiger.  She did not turn her back rather held on to her mind’s harness and faced fear head on.  This incident was described in today’s gospel: “As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)  

 

As she held on to her harness, she was able to endure virgin birth, an escape to Egypt, Son’s death and passion on the cross, and boldly submitting to God’s will.  We memorialize her as the Mother of God and celebrate today’s mass: “Mother of God, please pray for us.  Amen.”

 

We celebrate the New Year as the COVID 19, that has been our fear and anxiety for the last two years, is threatening us again.  However, we need to hold on to our mind’s harness and face the fear head on with certainty.

 

Let us meditate for a moment.