A Chance for Renewal

As we now find ourselves in the middle of January this is often the time of year when our New Years resolutions begin to fade and we find ourselves in exactly the same place that we were before.  In fact in a Forbes poll it was found that between 23% to 64% give up their resolutions in the month of January, less than 22% lasting for two to three months, only 13% holding out for 4 months and less than 8% lasting an entire year.  When the reasons for failure were analyzed, there were four main reasons for people not keeping to their resolution goals: unrealistic goals, lack of planning, fading motivation and poor habit integration.

While this may certainly be true for all of the resolutions that we might make at the beginning of the New Year, I would like to take a short look at the spiritual aspects of our daily lives and how we might think about them as an opportunity for renewal.  The New Year is an opportunity to take stock of our spiritual life and spiritual practices and strive to make amendment.  This is especially true in the upcoming Season of Pre-Lent which will begin on February 1, the First Sunday of Pre-Lent.  It will be in that season where we will take stock of our lives, set a course of action and then set about in the Season of Lent to accomplish our spiritual goals.

First of all, we must realize that unlike any ordinary News Years resolution, our spiritual goals are a living out of the very direction of our lives as Christians.  They are not just some idea that might help us live better or happier or longer, but they correspond to exactly what we are called to as Christians.  The Prophet Isaiah speaks about this in the renewal that will come about in the work of God.  “Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30 -31) 

We know too that this renewal was won in the sacrifice of our Lord on the Cross, and it is presently being accomplished in the work of Jesus Christ in each of our lives.  “Then Peter said, ‘Look we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?’  Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” (Matthew 19:27-28)  We are not destined for any finite goal in this world, but to be united to Jesus both in this world and the next.

And further, Saint Paul speaks of it being worked out in our daily lives of Christian faith and practice.  In the letter to the Romans, he tells us, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)  We see here that if we are focused on only ourselves then we are doomed to failure, but if we are rather directed to Christ we will discern the will of God for our lives and progress toward what is “good and acceptable and perfect.”

We must realize that it is no longer for any selfish reason that we will accomplish any resolution, but rather we will seek only to love and serve both God and His people better and more strongly.  Again, St. Paul tells us: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

But at this point I would like to examine the reasons for failure and how we might bring these concerns to our daily spiritual life.  We need to set concrete goals for our spiritual life and goals that are consistent with our present situation.  I am sure that each and every one of us, myself included, could spend 15 more minutes in prayer every day.  I know that if I could more easily step away from my phone or the TV, I could certainly free up that time. 

Plan at least a few minutes when you wake up to pray for illumination and blessing for the day ahead.  Take a few minutes of prayer before going to bed to give thanks to God for the blessings of the day and make a short examination of conscience to confess those places where you have fallen short.  These goals can be accomplished by everyone and they will allow us to more fully focus on God and His will for our life.  Likewise, set a goal to attend Church more faithfully.  If you only come once and a while, strive for one more time each month.  If you attend Holy Mass each week, find other ways to worship almighty God during the week.

To fight off the fading motivation, first realize that although you will certainly feel better and be better through these habits, it is God’s strength that we must call upon in all moments. If we strive to put God first, others next and ourselves last, then we will find that we will always have a moment to turn to God in prayer.  We will always see those in need around us and help where we can.

And lastly we must strive to integrate this new way of life into who we are.  We should not seek to do anything for only a season.  A resolution is not meant so that we can accomplish something for a day, a week, a month or a year.  It is about allowing ourselves to be conformed to the life of Christ that is within us.  Again, St. Paul tells us to: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)  This means that we must strive to conform ourselves to Jesus.  It will not happen to us by simply wishing it.  We must “put on” the Lord Jesus.

Allow this time of year to be one, not only of resolutions to lose a few pounds or to exercise more or to eat better, but more importantly allow it to be a time of renewal of your hearts and minds for Christ.  Don’t just go about doing mundane things, but rather realize: “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by it lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-23)

Let us seek to be united to Christ, in worship, in prayer, and in service.  Now that’s a good resolution for the beginning of the New Year.