Yes, another year begins, or at least in the life of the Church. In saying this, I am not being insane. It just is the Church arranges its own life, and has done so successfully for a long time.
Happening this year, in Thailand, at the same time as the start of a new Church year, we are celebrating Loy Krathong. This is a most special and lovely, Thai cultural festival. Its theme is letting go and moving on, giving people each year a chance to start again in life. Don't we all need this opportunity?
These are powerful human themes captured within such a colourful and loved celebration, using the key symbols of water and light. So everybody flocks to the rivers, lakes and other waterways, engaging in festivities, full of energy, colour and friendship. They lovingly prepare their krathongs (the water floats), with simple symbols of their desires and hopes, and then prayerfully let them go in the water. So we begin life anew. 
As we leave behind one year within the Church's three year cycle, we too begin life anew as Church, with the beginning of a new liturgical year. This year is the Year of Mark's Gospel. At this time, we are reminded yet again, that, in life,
-we keep doing the best we can with what we've got;
-we learn from our failures and keep getting back up;
-we be ever true to self;
-we uphold our dignity and the dignity of all;
-we love our own self, just as much as we truly love others, especially those in their need and poverty.
Let another year begin. Let us ever start anew. It is only 28 days to Christmas.
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