January Food for Thought

Happy New Year, By My Side friends!

I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and that it brought you great peace, filled with God’s graces and blessings.

As we step into the new year, it’s time for our New Year’s Resolutions. During this time of new beginnings, God invites us to renew our hearts and deepen our relationship with Him.

For those of you who are faith-filled Christians, these Catholic Spiritual Resolutions are not just goals but opportunities to surrender more fully to God’s love and grace. By committing to these practices, we can grow in prayer, strengthen our faith, and live with greater trust in His divine will.

Here are my top 10 Catholic Spiritual Resolutions for 2025:

1. Commit to daily prayer.
   Set aside at least 10–30 minutes daily for personal prayer. Use this time for silent meditation, conversing with Jesus, or reflecting on His presence in your life.
2. Pray the Rosary daily.
   Entrust yourself to Mother Mary’s intercession by meditating on the mysteries of Christ through the Rosary, even if you start with one decade at a time.
3. Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration.
   Make a weekly or monthly commitment to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, surrendering your heart to Him in silent prayer.
4. Attend daily Mass (when possible).
   Participate in the Eucharist more frequently, even if it’s only once a week beyond Sunday. Encountering Christ in the Mass strengthens your spiritual life.
5. Begin a prayer journal.
   Write down your prayers, insights, and reflections. Journaling can help you recognize God’s work in your life and clarify your intentions.
6. Meditate on Scripture daily.
   Spend time with the Word of God using daily Bible readings. Allow Scripture to guide your surrender, teach you God’s ways, and deepen your understanding of His will. Consider Fr. Mike Schmitz’s daily 20-minute podcast, The Bible in a Year (by Ascension Press). It’s an amazing resource, and his reflections bring such clarity to the Bible.
7. Examine your conscience nightly.
   End each day by reflecting on how you followed God’s will, asking for forgiveness for shortcomings, and expressing gratitude for His blessings.
8. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
   Resolve to go to Confession at least once a month. Regularly receiving God’s mercy fosters humility and strengthens your relationship with Him. Going to the trouble of showing up for Confession shows our Lord your commitment of your penitent heart and assures you of His forgiveness through the priest’s words of absolution.
9. Practice fasting and sacrifice.
   Embrace small sacrifices or fast regularly as acts of penance, offering them in prayerful surrender for your intentions and the needs of others.
10. Serve others with love.
    Dedicate time to serve others in your parish or community, seeing Jesus in those you help. Surrender your time and energy to love as Jesus loved.

This New Year is a fresh beginning to embrace God’s call to holiness and intimacy with Him. Start small, trust His guidance, and lean on His strength to persevere. With prayer and surrender, these resolutions can transform your spiritual life and draw you closer to the heart of Jesus.

Lots of food for thought in these Catholic Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions. Enjoy this January winter wonderland, everyone!

Love,
MJ xo