A Catholic Way to Begin the New Year
New Year. New Habits. Rooted in Christ.
As the New Year begins, many people will commit to “New Year’s Resolutions.” Google defines resolution as “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” Secular society uses this definition when starting a new year and deciding to make the next year better than the last. Catholic Culture has an online Catholic Dictionary which describes a resolution in spiritual theology as implying “a conversion of one’s moral life, arrived at after due reflection and prayer.” Wow. THIS is how I want to enter a New Year!
I encourage you to pray and reflect on where God is leading you in the upcoming year and find ways to glorify Him more with your life and grow closer to Him. Here are some faith focused resolutions for the New Year.
1. Begin at the Altar
New Year’s Day is a Holy Day of Obligation: the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Begin the year at Mass celebrating our Lord’s Mother on the Octave Day of Christmas. Make a commitment to attend Holy Days throughout the year and reclaim Sunday as the Lord’s Day. Attend Mass every Sunday and take time for rest and family instead of unnecessary work.
2. Commit to Daily Prayer
Growing closer to God begins in prayer. Create a prayer space which includes whatever you will need. This may include a Bible, journal, pens, rosary, etc. Choose a time and way to pray each day. There are so many ways to pray so find what works for you and get started. Start simply and stay faithful. Put it on your calendar and set reminders. If your hair appointment is on your calendar, you are less likely to miss it. In time, prayer will become a habit and a regular part of your daily routine.
3. Be Formed by the Word
Grow in knowledge of the faith this year. Begin with the Gospels. Knowing Jesus means knowing who He is and what He did. Everything else in Scripture points to the Gospels. Commit to reading one Gospel in its entirety. I recommend beginning with the Gospel of Luke. From there, study the story of salvation. There are many programs available to guide you in studying the story of salvation history. Choose one and get started!
4. Choose a Word for the Year
Let a sacred word or phrase guide your prayer this year. I found a fun website - Just Love Prints - by a Catholic writer and designer. She recommended several words and phrases rooted in the Catholic faith and designed vinyl stickers for each one. After reading her blog, I was inspired by ADMG (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam). This is a motto by St. Ignatius of Loyola which means “for the greater glory of God.” I feel this will guide me in discerning my decisions this year and help me to recognize that all is for His glory, not mine. I am looking forward to how God will use this phrase in my life this year.
5. Order What You Take In
I once heard it said, “The eyes and ears are the window to the soul.” This has become a favorite saying of mine when guiding young people in the types of entertainment they choose - books, music, movies, etc. Be intentional about selecting music, media, and influences that lift the heart to God. Several years ago, I took K-Love’s “30 day challenge” and listened to only Christian music for 30 days. I had a desire to listen to more Christian music, but I didn’t know many songs. I love to sing along to the radio, so knowing the words to the songs was important to me. This challenge helped me connect with the music and grow in love for Contemporary Christian music. It is now my main genre of music, and I find it uplifts my mood!
St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God Our Lord and by this means to save his soul.” How can you save your soul by growing in faith this year?
