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This
weekend as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, we commemorate
the end of another Church year. It is an opportunity for us to think
back on all that has happened in the past twelve months and how God has
worked in our lives. I expect that, like me, you have had a year
containing both blessings and struggles which have brought us to where
we are today.
Also
this week, the thoughts of people around the country turn toward
gratefulness, as the nation celebrates Thanksgiving. It is a time for
all of us to consider those things for which we are most thankful and to
offer to God prayers of gratitude for the many blessings we have
received. God is continuing to pour out His grace and love upon us and
we show our appreciation for that love by sharing it with others.
Next
Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent and a new liturgical year and as
we prepare for a new year, this is an excellent time to make
resolutions. There is something about a new start at anything that leads
us to mark the newness by reevaluating our lives and making changes for
the better. Every year on January 1st, people around the world resolve
to make changes in their lives. For some, these changes are directed
toward a healthier lifestyle while others are more focused on personal
growth.
For
those of us who are preparing for a new Church year, we ought to
consider how we can make resolutions in our spiritual lives — to bring
about greater health to our soul and to our relationship with God. This
change for the better can take many different forms that are
surprisingly similar to those steps taken to achieve physical health.
For some, advancement requires cutting something out of our lives, while
for others it is more important to add something to your daily life.
Just as a healthy physical life requires exercise, so, too, a healthy
religious life requires spiritual exercises.
These
can take many forms depending on your gifts and strengths. It can be as
easy as setting a few extra minutes aside each day for prayer, if we are
not in the habit of doing so, or if that is already part of our routine,
maybe a few more moments for another form of devotion. The possibilities
are as endless as the diversity of our lives. The challenge comes in
taking the first step and looking inward to see areas of need and
possibilities for growth.
As
we look ahead to a new year, we are given the prospect of how we plan to
move ahead. God is continually giving us the chance to grow closer to
Him and become participants in His divine plan for the world. The grace
to grow in love and prayer is ours, if we are willing to take on the
challenge and make the effort. As we begin this new year, let’s use
this time to make some spiritual resolutions to help us get our souls
into better shape.
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