January 1, 2026: The Greatest Pitcher in the World
The Greatest Pitcher in the World
I saw a commercial recently. There’s a boy about eight years old who carries a baseball bat and ball to a park. He announces, “I am the greatest hitter in the world,” [I demonstrate, by throwing the ball up in the air and I try to hit it. I don’t. I watch it fall to the ground.] I say, “strike one.” [I repeat this two more times . . . missing each and announcing each strike]. Then I say, “Wow, I am the greatest pitched in the world.”
You know, as we start a new year, many of us are making resolutions about things we want to do: Exercise more, get better sleep, drink more water, read more books, save more money, spend more time with family, reduce screen or social media time, get better grades at school.
Those are all good, and I do encourage you to “go for it.” But perhaps this year, it might be a time to not change an action, but to change an attitude.
In the gospel, we have a continuation of the scripture at Christmas. The shepherds (who were the low-casts of society) come to worship the savior, the prince of peace. But the focus is on Mary. It must have been overwhelming for her to hear all this praise about her baby, then in Matthew’s gospel which we’ll hear this weekend, the astrologers from the east to also pay him homage.
There’s a line in the gospel that is most revealing. It says, “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
Mary doesn’t rush to explain, defend, or control what is happening around her. She receives it. She allows God’s work to unfold, and she holds it prayerfully in her heart. This is the posture of blessing.
In our first reading from Numbers, God tells Moses to bless the people—not by changing their circumstances, but by changing how they live under God’s face: “The Lord bless you and keep you… the Lord let His face shine upon you.”
Mary lives beneath that blessing.
On this first day of the year, the Church reminds us that before we do anything, achieve anything, or fix anything, we are first blessed. A new year does not begin with our promises to God, but with God’s promise to us. When we choose to begin the year like Mary—attentive, humble, trusting—we allow God to shape not just what we do, but who we are becoming. So here are some things to ponder for the New Year:
We don’t see the world as it is; we see the world as we are.
Everyone has problems and obstacles to overcome; no one walks this road alone.
Nothing is carved in stone—new beginnings are always possible.
Progress matters more than perfection.
It’s not the falling down that defines us; it’s the getting back up with faith and courage.
Never think it’s too late to begin—God is never finished with you.
Choose gratitude over grumbling.
Choose hope over fear.
Choose trust over worry.
Be honest about your attitude. Maybe this is the year you dare to dream, take a risk, trust God’s blessing—and become the greatest pitcher in the world.
