In Theory

As a religious leader in the community, what kind of New Year’s resolutions would you encourage your congregants to observe in 2010? And how would you persuade them to stick to those resolutions?

I believe the new year is a time to get back to basics. We would do well to remember that everything should begin with God’s inspiration and continue with his saving help. I am encouraging people to examine their prayer lives and to strongly consider spending at least some time in prayer each day, at least at the beginning of the day and right before retiring for the evening. Those with families should involve the younger members and pray as a family, remembering the popular slogan “The family that prays together, stays together.” I am also reminding our members of the importance of attending Mass every Sunday. Keeping Holy the Lord’s Day is one of the Ten Commandments, and it is not difficult to know whether or not we are following it. Beginning with this devotion to the Lord (through private prayer and public worship) will help us to grow in our relationship with the Lord, to be prepared to do good works and to weather the storms that are sure to come.

Fr. Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Church

Costa Mesa

As we approach a new year, it is a good time to evaluate our lives and accomplishments and set goals to improve and enhance our contribution to our family, our neighborhood and the world. I would encourage myself and my congregation to read and ponder the scriptures regularly — preferably every day — have daily prayer and communion with Our Heavenly Father, and to live our lives according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We should set a designated time (monthly?) for evaluation and re-energize our commitment. Sometimes we can gain greater success in meeting our goals by working with a group and encouraging each other to meet common objectives. I have always felt that our greatest joy will be achieved though our service to others.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, started a Watch Night tradition. He encouraged every Methodist to spend New Year’s Eve in prayer and worship. Although Methodists no longer regularly maintain this tradition, the first Sunday of the New Year is often set aside for the renewing of a covenant with God.

The Wesley Covenant Prayer begins “I am no longer my own, but thine.” Whatever happens in the coming year — good or bad, scary or enlightening — we belong to God. Giving our hearts and lives to God at the year’s beginning prepares us for the things beyond our control that affect us throughout the year.

I believe that starting the year with a promise that reminds us of our relationship with God is the best kind of New Year’s resolution.

Mesa Verde United Methodist Church

I am fond of British diarist James Agate’s New Year’s resolution: “To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.”

I would commend to my congregants that we make a resolution in the form of a question. A passenger who was on board the plane that landed safely in the Hudson River was asked his response to the traumatic incident. He said that as the aircraft seemed about to plunge into the water he asked himself a question: “Am I the man I wanted to be?”

For each of us the answer should be “no,” because there is always room for improvement in building character and deepening relationships. My resolution for the coming year is to keep that passenger’s question ever before me. If it is important enough to ask before death, it is important enough to ask throughout life.

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

Repeatedly in the Bible we are given the admonition “Do not be afraid.” I suppose this is because it is so easy to slip into fear, especially when it is fear of the unknown. We do not know what the new year will bring, but I hope that my congregation, and all of us in our community, will resolve to not be afraid of whatever comes in the future. One of the reasons we make resolutions is to reflect upon the past year and previous years, and consider our successes, as well as things that didn’t go so well. We look backward on Old Year’s Day precisely so that we can prepare ourselves to look forward. Our resolutions are plans, hopes, dreams and commitments. We can’t foretell the future, but we can prepare ourselves to meet what will come. This preparation alone can calm our fears. So, I encourage us all to make resolutions, but make the first “Do not be afraid” for God is with us, Emmanuel, and God will give us strength and courage to face whatever will come our way.

Fairview Community Church

Costa Mesa

Frequently, the approach taken by people in making resolutions for the new year is to look at themselves as having been failures in the past year. Then, from that negative self-assessment, they resolve to do better. Commonly, they wind up short, once again fatigued and discouraged.

I would propose a different starting point, which is that we should begin by considering who it is that we are as God sees us. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that is what we are.” (I John 3, 1) When we humbly recognize ourselves as being sacred, chosen, individually known and passionately loved by God, we increasingly live out of that self-concept. So easily we allow the world to define us rather than live out of the definition that God gives us. We do not need to win God’s favor. We live differently when we recognize that God already favors us. Original grace precedes original sin.

Jesus, the eternal Word who became flesh for us is the ultimate Christmas gift that affirms our dignity and our calling.