What's behind our resolutions? We set a goal to exercise more, eat healthier, or contribute more to our savings account. Maybe we're trying to improve our physical or financial health. While these are noble pursuits in the eyes of the world, how important are they in the life of a Christian?
Health, finances, the needs of our family...these are all essential parts of our life. By taking care of these essential items, we fulfill the duties of our state in life. Understanding these duties and carrying them out is a requirement for the Christian faithful. In fact, the Church places such an emphasis on fulfilling our state in life that She places the burden of mortal sin on those who neglect this duty (1).
If the Church places such high importance on these "worldly" pursuits, then what's the point of this blog post? Why question the resolutions that are so common this time of year? It's not our duties that are in question, but their proper order.
The Church's teachings on the matter come straight from Christ Himself: "Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you" (2). This simple verse lays the foundation for how we are to order our lives. God comes first and everything else follows. This structure makes sense when we understand how we were created and what we were made for.
God didn't need us. The moment of our conception was a free gift. God willed us into existence with the cooperation of our parents. He breathed the breath of life into us so that we could share in His existence. We were created to know, love, and serve God and to be happy with Him forever in heaven (3). Our response to God's generosity is to surrender completely to His holy will. Doing so will bring us peace on earth and infinite joy in heaven.
Will we allow this simple understanding of our priorities as Christians and our response to God's gift of life to guide us this new year? Embracing the hope of the Christmas season, let us journey out of the darkness of sin and death into the light of truth and new life. As the magi did over two thousand years ago, let's set our sights on the bright star of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Recalling Christ's command to "If any man will come after me, let him deny [ourselves], and take up [our] cross daily, and follow me", we remember that we must pass through the valley of suffering in this life (4). I have yet to read the life of a saint who did not experience intense suffering. Whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual all of the saints faced periods of trial. Through the crucible of suffering, God shattered their attachment to sin and they came to live for His grace alone.
The task is daunting. The road to heaven is narrow. The path to hell is wide, seductive, and crowded with lost souls who cling to the things of this world. Jesus Christ alone is our salvation. It's in this spirit of struggle that we make our resolutions this New Year. Embracing the hope of the Christmas season, we place our hand upon the plow and resolve never to look back.
Before you take up your "normal" worldly resolutions this year, first consider a resolution that puts things in the proper order. Here are a few suggestions:
- Go to confession at least once a month. It's our duty to confess our sins once a year. To not confess our sins at least once a year is a mortal sin. Read the Venerable Pope St. Pius XII encyclical "Mystici Corporis" if you want to get a better understanding of the benefits of frequent confession (specifically paragraph 88).
- Wake up 30 minutes earlier than normal every day and spend at least 15 minutes in prayer. Brew coffee if necessary. I recommend performing mental prayer.
- Go to daily Mass or at least make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament every day. There is no greater source of grace on earth than the Holy Eucharist. Christ's true presence is the greatest means that we have to grow in holiness.
- Pray the Rosary every single day and together as a family, if possible. The Rosary is an opportunity to meditate on the life and death of Jesus. There are immense benefits to this this powerful devotion.
- Spend at least 15 minutes each day reading a good spiritual book. Here are some recommendations: An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux, or Time for God by Jacques Phillippe, to name a few.
- Spend 15-20 minutes a week deepening your knowledge of the Faith. We cannot love what we do not know. As a start, I recommend Fr. James W. Jackson's Audio Catechism. Fr. Jackson breaks down the entire Baltimore Catechism No. 2 into 15-20 minute audio lectures. You can download the lectures onto your phone, and they are great listening for a morning or afternoon commute.
- Attend an Extraordinary Form Mass at least once a month. The Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) is an excellent way to experience "otherworldly" worship. The TLM is the pinnacle of reverence and sanctity in the liturgy. I recommend not trying to follow along your first few times. Simply experience the sacred liturgy. If you're looking for a TLM, I recommend the 11:30 a.m. Sunday High Mass at The Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine.
(1) Juergens, S. P. (2004). The Roman Catholic daily missal, 1962: with kyriale in Gregorian notation. Kansas City, MO: Angelus Press. Page 28.
(2) Matthew 6:33
(3) Baltimore Catechism No. 1, Part 1, No. 6
(4) Luke 9:23
Images
(1) Carlo (or Carlino) Dolci (1616-1686) — The Adoration of the Kings, 1649 : The National Gallery London. United Kingdom (741×944). Obtained via Pintrest.
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