Resolutions and Wishes
Rev Fr J  P Tindana

As we have entered into the year 2009, (or about to enter) , it would be fitting for us to get our priorities right. To a large extent, our success or failure this year would depend on our relationship with God. Definitely the grace of God would always be there for us. But as to whether we would use these graces appropriately or not, would depend on our decisions. And so today we would like to reflect on resolutions and wishes.

A friend of mine once told me she was sad she was growing old. She wished that she would still remain as a baby—pampered, spoilt, among others. But unfortunately, the Latin adage says fugit hora—hours are fleeting. The wheels of time are irreversibly moving and nobody can stop them. Knowledge of this fact should spur us on to do more and achieve the best of life, rather than sitting idle and lamenting over a situation we have no control over.

Janus is the Roman god of gates and doors, beginnings and endings. He is represented with a double-faced head each looking in opposite direction. The month of January is named after this Roman god. One face looks to the year that is past and the other face looks to the future, i.e. the New Year. The month of January, therefore, is a decisive month.

During this period, especially, we hear a lot about resolutions. Some people, realising that they have not been able to keep their resolutions, feel there is no point in making any more. I would encourage everyone, no matter what, to make a resolution. Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The major problem with many people is the inability to differentiate between wishes and resolutions. The difference, however, is as clear as crystal. A wish identifies a goal one wants to reach. A resolution, on the other hand, specifies the steps one would take to reach a goal.

The wishful person would say about his relationship with God, “I want to have an intimate relationship with God.” The resolved person would say, “I would try to attend church services as often as I can or set aside specific time for prayers in order to have an intimate relationship with God.” About the family, a wishful person would say, “I want to get to know my family very well.” A resolved person would say, “I would sit at table with my family for our meals in order to get to know the needs of each.” What would the wishful student say? ”I want to pass my exams with flying colours.” The resolved student would say, “I would spend extra time behind my desk studying in order to pass my exams.” Should I give another example? The wishful worker would say, “I wish to have more money this year.” The resolved worker would say, “I would work hard, spend less and save more this year.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “The heights by great men reached and kept, were not obtained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

Nothing good and wholesome in this world comes cheap. Being Christian does not mean we are going to have things easy. Christianity comes at a cost. Christianity is not a magic religion. As we are beginning the year it would be good for us to set our priorities right. Many movements today purporting to be propagating Christianity are in reality cheapening it. They present a Christian religion that is devoid of the Cross. And yet it was the Cross that purchased our redemption. St Paul told us that a messenger of Satan was sent to torment him. Three times he asked the Lord to take away this thorn from his flesh, but the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (cf 2 Cor 12.7-9) Is that not what we are asking the Lord to grant us this day, that He be gracious to us? God is not a magician. Even the Devil can perform miracles! Do you remember the Devil showed in an instant all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus? (Luke 4.5). Read Scriptures and be inspired!

Most certainly, I am sure many people have entered this year with fears and uncertainties of the future. They wonder if this year would be better than the previous one. Nobody knows what the future holds, save God. Far superior to the Roman Janus, our God sees even beyond time and space. This is the point of assurance we need to carry in our hearts as we have begun a New Year.

And so as a priest of the new order which has no end, I bless you this New Year: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.”