There is Need for Only One Resolution

BRIEF HISTORY OF RESOLUTIONS

Take out the list from last years resolutions if you can find it. What did you follow through with? Probably not much.  I don't make any resolutions because I find that I lose track of them anyway.  New Year's resolutions seem to be something we can feel good about by openly stating that we are going to lose weight, be nice to coworkers, exercise more, etc. Ancient Babylonians used the New Year to promise their Gods that they would pay back debts or return borrowed objects. And leave it to the Romans who would begin the New Year with sacrificial offerings followed by a period of partying.

Paul uses the phrase "When in the fullness of time," in his letter to the Galatians as he references the birth of Jesus. In this sense time has reached its climax for something new will appear. As we know the arrival of Jesus radically changed the world. We would be remiss if we ignored the meaning of this. Perhaps we have reached that point where it seems there is a fullness of time. It does not necessarily coincide with the New Year, but maybe something in our personal life that needs a change.

A resolution of sorts, but one with true meaning and intent. What I find interesting in all of these resolutions is that people attempt to futilely complete them without the help of God. It is though that only through human resolve that one can carry out their resolution(s). Then if they are able to complete the resolution they can announce it at the end of the year. How many did you hear last night? However there is one resolution which does some require effort (with God's grace) and will have a lasting effect, that of peace.  One person at a time can resolve to bring peace to their world. Peace in itself is love and what God longs for all of us.

PERSONAL GOLAS

In order to do so one must be at peace with themselves.  I find that New Year's resolution bring more despair than peace especially if one battles with bad habits such as overeating, not exercising enough, and a long lists of personal vices that seem largely unconquered. Accepting oneself and praying for God's grace is a step towards peace. Then the message then can be carried to others. Our daily actions are a reflection of this.

This year is the centennial celebration of our Lady in Fatima in which her message was devoted to peace. After a tumultuous year in our nation and around the world, this message resonates deeply with those familiar with her visitations. The year has ended and life seems to carry on as we see the tragedy in Turkey. It seems not much has changed. Borrowing from a line from St Augustine read earlier this morning in Father James Sullivan's reflection about Mary and the appearance at Fatima , ""Peace is not the absence of war, but the tranquility of order."(1) Although we feel powerless about the world beyond our reach we can surely bring some order (peace) to our own. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

1 Sullivan, James M., O.P. "The Fatima Centennial: Mary, the Mother of God and the Need for Peace." The Magnificat 18.11 (2016): 18. Web. 1 Jan. 17.