January 1, 2023
New Year’s Day
Anyone make any New Year resolutions?
They say that 60% of Americans make New Year resolutions. Things like eating better, getting more exercise, using less technology, etc. But here’s the thig. Within just a few weeks the majority of them will have given up on their New Year resolutions.
So, what do we need if we’re going to stick with our New Year resolutions? They say two things, inspiration and a congregation.
Let me explain. First, we need to be inspired. We get inspired by what we see. We see someone do it, and we want to do it. That’s our motivator. Then, we don’t have to do it alone. In fact, it’s better that we don’t do it alone. Our congregation is our support system that makes sure we don’t do it alone.
Now, if inspiration and a congregation are key to starting a new habit, what if I told you that Mary, whose feast we celebrate today, can provide the inspiration and support we need as we get started on that new habit. Again, let me explain.
Our faith offers us two complementary versions of Mary. One is from the tradition of Scripture. The other is from the tradition of piety. First, there is the Mary of Scripture. This is the Mary who models the way. She is the Mary who trusted and gave her yes to God even when she didn’t understand. Her example inspires us to live our faith with that same trust and surrender.
Then there is the Mary of piety. As Fr. Ronald Rollheiser reminds us, the Mary of piety is seen in the many Marion devotions that take on life in prayers like the rosary and in travelling to pilgrimages and shrines in places like Fatima, Lourdes and Medjugorie.
In all of these, Mary is the one whom millions turn to. They find in her the sympathy of a mother who understands. This is the Mary we can call on for support. We don’t have to pray alone. Mary prays with us and intercedes for us.
So, what do we need for New Year resolutions to stick? Inspiration and a congregation. And with the start of this new Year that’s not a bad place to begin. So, with the inspiration and support that Mary offers us she can be the one whose example and intercession help us meet the challenges that always come whenever we take on something new, be it a New Year resolution or whatever. So, in honor of Mary let’s close with a Hail Mary.