January 2026
Dear Graduates of Chaminade and Kellenberg Memorial,
As we begin the new year, let’s start with a few questions. Do you find yourself becoming angry more frequently than you had in the past? Are you tending to take out your frustrations on those closest to you – your parents and your siblings? Have you become more critical of little things that bother you? Do you grow impatient very quickly? Do you find fewer moments of joy in your life?
You are not alone. Aaron Balick, a psychotherapist and author of The Psychodynamics of Social Networking, believes that new technologies have ushered in an era in which “there are more ways to express anger” and less shame attached to its expression. He also attributes this cultural shift to politicians who have “normalized” anger. We live in a world of instantaneity, where everything is a computer click away. We become impatient when other aspects of life do not respond as quickly, and our impatience quickly turns to anger. We are victimized by social media – where products are not being sold to us, but we are, in fact, the product that is being sold.
What are we to do? I find an answer in my favorite quotation from the Psalms:
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
Be still. Quieting down our psyche requires slowing down and growing in patience. “Patience, people, for the Lord is coming.” Create a place that is free from noise and distractions. Put your electronic devices in a different room. Maybe even go to a chapel or a church. Wait in quiet for the Spirit to speak to you. Know and feel the presence of Jesus. Relax.
Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient. (James 5:7)
Rejoice in the Lord, always, again I say rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 15:11)
When you were confirmed, you received the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5: 22-23)
Pray for the growth of these fruits in your life. The other practice that helps us to draw closer to the Lord is charity, self-giving. How much time are you spending in giving yourself to others?
Give freely of the gifts you have freely received. (Matthew 8:10)
The Lord loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
You are a gift from the Lord, but a gift that is meant to be given. We have just celebrated Christmas and received the greatest gift ever, the gift of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, who continues to give of Himself to us in His Word and in the Eucharist. Is the gift that you are still on the shelf, or has it come down to be shared with others?
You have probably just begun a new semester or, at least, a new year of grace. So, if you have not already done so, find a quiet place and a quiet space in your life. I have deliberately indented the scripture quotes so that they would be available to you for reflection and meditation.
May the Lord, who has begun this good work within you, continue his work until it is finally finished on the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
On behalf of all my Marianist Brothers,
Fr. Garrett Long, S.M.
