Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy New Year!


The year is young, and there's still time to make a New Year's resolution or to persevere in one you've already made.

One study, by the University of Scranton, put together a list of the top New Year's resolutions for 2014:

1. Lose weight
2. Get organized
3. Spend less, save more
4. Enjoy life to the fullest
5. Stay fit and healthy
6. Learn something exciting
7. Quit smoking
8. Help others in their dreams
9. Fall in love
10. Spend more time with family


Many of the resolutions seem to be about gaining or losing something. And indeed, the essence of life seems to be about losing something to gain something better, as a way to happiness and fulfillment. Maybe God has given us this longing in our hearts as a way to find Him.

Some people forgo New Year's resolutions, perhaps because they find them silly or useless or even unattainable. As Catholics, we should embrace them. We are all about renewal, especially renewal in Christ. From the day of our Baptism and every day after, we are to shed our old sinful desires and put on something better, the garment of Christ.

The white garment we wore at Baptism is a sign that we are new creations, clothed in Christ. Every day, we should resolve to live out our Baptism, to put on Christ, as St. Paul would say, so others recognize, from our outward appearance, the presence of the Holy Trinity within us.

"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." Romans 13: 14

"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galations 3:27

"But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3: 8-10




Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

No comments:

Post a Comment

While anyone can comment, a screening process is in place to prevent comments such as spams or obscenities. The best way to make certain your comment gets posted is to include your name.