With the commercial side of Christmas over, we can now quietly and simply, focus on
the spiritual side of Christmas and the coming New Year. I know many of us have already
embarked on a spiritual Christmas by celebrating Advent and the start of the new liturgical
year, but at times I find it difficult to focus during Christmas. It feels like I am trying to
engage in a quiet conversation with an old friend while sitting beside an orchestra belting
out BOLERO!
Normally, the week after Christmas, I like to sit down with a hot cup of coffee, and while
Gregorian chant plays softly in the background, I start drafting up a list of ‘New Year’s
Resolutions’. I find it so relaxing and calming. With anticipation I slowly write out my list.
This year, I reflected back on previous resolutions. I am sad to report that I have not been
able to keep any of them. Not even the easy ones. I realized that I was simply going through
the motions. It was all about ME and how I could make myself ‘feel better’ (at least for a
while). You know…go to the gym for a bit…eat healthy for a week or so…be nice for a few
days to someone I do not particularly get along with (and watch the shocked look on their
face when I say hello). I realized it was the same-old-same-old in different words and deeds.
This year I want to do something different and I would like to share with you what I plan to
do in the hope that you too will come up with a list that truly embraces and builds on the
Spirit of Christmas as seen through the Lord’s eyes and the Advent of a new year.
This year I have decided to prepare a list of 10 self-evaluating reflections/questions that I
will meditate and pray on in the hope that the Holy Spirit will guide me to a new, more
meaningful Spiritual Resolutions List.
Here they are:
1. Reflect on the 10 Commandments. Which have I not followed? Why?
2. Reflect on all of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. What is Mother Mary asking of
me?
3. Review any of the Advent/Lent Psalms/Readings of the Divine Liturgy. What are they
saying to me?
4. Read a different chapter of the Holy Bible at random during the week following
Christmas. Reflect and pray over those readings. Ask myself if my life is being
reflected in any of them. If not, how can I make this happen?
5. Which Saint is of particular interest to me? Reflect on their spiritual life and teaching.
6. What does the Catholic Church teach about ‘family’? (Yes…it requires me to look at
the Catechism of the Catholic Church). How can I better meet the church’s teaching
on the family?
7. Look in the mirror. Ask myself, “What does the Lord our God see in me?” Special
note to self – I need to be honest. It is only between me and God. I think this one will
be a difficult one for me.
8. Have I treated others as I would have them treat me? Note to self – be honest
again…another difficult one for me. Honesty can be such hard work!
9. Whom have I forgiven this past year? Whom may I ask of for forgiveness?
10. When was the last time I went to confession? What did I confess? What did Father
say to me? When will I be going again? What shall I confess when I do go again?
I believe that these 10 reflections will allow me to focus my Spiritual Resolutions List to a
meaningful one. I will see where this takes me. Perhaps next year I may add an 11th
reflection: “Review last year’s 10 reflections list. What changes can I make?
Have a great year and may God bless you, your family and your loved ones.
Copyright 2015, Luciano Corbo
Luciano Corbo
Luciano Corbo holds a Master of Arts - Integrated Studies from Athabasca University. His major interests are Culture, Work, Organizations and Leadership, within a context of Catholic Social Teaching Principles. He writes from Canada.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.