Father Jose Augusto’s homily, delivered on New Year’s Eve just prior to 2010, comes soon after the community learned that one member, Hayslan Rangel de Souza, died as the result of a car accident. He was buried New Year’s Day 2010 in his home city of Guaçui, ES, Brazil—ed.

I come fighting day after day with my agitation. I come putting my faith in this word: do not fret, believe in God.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”(Philipians 4, 6 NIV)

Present your worry to God, trust, do not despair.

St Francis de Sales, was a very agitated man. a man of strong temperment, but when he had his personal encounter with Jesus, he started to perceive that nothing was able to take away his peace during these situations. And the fight passed.

It is a fight we have everyday, one does not conquer himself from one day to the other. He abandons all into the hands of the One who cares for us.

Do not worry about that bad that has come, because that which came to happen, the Father of Heaven will give strength for you to remain calm.

The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mt 14:24-27 NIV)

Calm yourself from such agitation! Believe in Jesus, put your confidence in Him.

A thought of St. Francis de Sales: Do not think that which is going to happen tomorrow because the same eternal Father that today loves you will care for you tomorrow and always. But if something bad happens, take courage, because invincible courage will give you strength to overcome the situation. Throw from your imagination that which can perturb you. Say to Him, Oh God you are my God in you I will trust to help me because you are my refuge and never will I fear.

One time you do this, calm yourself and do not despair. Depression many times comes through lack of confidence and the person begins to turn sad and down, but our position must be different.

Do not be perturbed with death. All this is in the hand of God whom we trust. The Year 2010 is in the hands of God.

Fr. Jose Augusto

Translated from Portuguese