Some of us will make a New Year’s resolution as we begin 2017. Statistics show that most of us will not live out our resolution beyond the first few weeks of the year. We have to ask ourselves if we were reasonable in what we promised to do, or if we were really all that committed to the resolution to start with!

Perhaps this year, our goal should be realistic, have lasting impact on our lives, and the lives of those with whom we interact. Maybe this is the year we should focus on living and growing in faith.

Faith is a gift from God offered to each of us. Faith, too, requires an openness to the One who knows and loves us more than we know ourselves.  Faith is a living entity.  It can grow, it can remain stagnate, or it can be lost.

Perhaps our resolution this year might be just this simple: let us promise to be open to Jesus – every day. This is a resolution worth keeping!

“I invite all Christians,
everywhere,
at this very moment,
to a renewed personal encounter
with Jesus Christ,
or at least an openness to
letting him encounter them;
I ask all of you to do this
unfailingly each day.”
~Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 3

Excerpts from Catholic Life and Faith, Impact’s Christmas-January, 2017, Issue

Jesus’ call is urgent. He does not tell people to follow him at some time in the future but here and now — at this moment, in these circumstances. There can be no delay.  “…go and proclaim the kingdom of God….No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” ~Lk 9:60, 62

• What is the situation in your life right now in which you may share God’s mercy?
• What are the circumstances that call for action, a change in attitude, or a new and deeper commitment to respond as a disciple of Jesus?
• What tempts you to delay?

Discipleship is a spiritual and yet practical way of life. Growing in discipleship requires us to make decisions about the way we use our time and resources. As disciples, our daily actions reflect the abundant blessings which we have been given by God.  Yet the temptation to hold back our time or talent or to hold onto our worldly possessions is great.  Without the recognition that Jesus’ call is urgent, our delay is nothing more than simply going about the business of living. With this recognition, and our response to it, however, life takes on deeper meaning; we find purpose in our caring and sharing. Faith meets life.

How will you answer Jesus’ urgent call today?  What about tomorrow?  And the next day?  And so on?

Sources:  http://www.catholiclifeandfaith.net/mercy-now/, Mercy Now article, by Leisa Anslinger
U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on A Disciple’s Response