Resolutions

How are you doing with your new year’s resolutions? If your diet has yo-yoed back to 2018 and your treadmill is collecting dust like mine, here’s one resolution you can keep at the forefront: Fully enter in the Mass like never before—all the prayers, the songs, the readings, the symbolism, the beauty, JESUS!

I recently asked myself what keeps me from fully entering into worship? Here are some thoughts I had and invite you to ponder as well.

Top 5 Hindrances and Their Antidotes:

Fear: What will people think of me?
Love: Perfect Love (Jesus) drives out fear. Focus     (and re-focus often) on Jesus!

Shame: I’m not worthy to participate in all this beauty!
Grace: God’s free gift is waiting to be opened.

Ignorance: I have no idea what some of this means.
Knowledge: Grow in your faith using all the great resources at your fingertips like your Bible, Catechism, join one of our parish Bible/book/video studies (HINT: There’s a study about the Mass happening right now), and Formed.org to name a few.

Wrong Motivation: What can I get out of Mass?  
Perspective Shift: How can I give my all at Mass? What gifts/talents can I share? How can I serve? We always need more greeters, ushers, readers, musicians (MUSICIANS: especially pianists and organists), and extraordinary ministers to answer the call to serve.

Rebellion: This isn’t what I signed up for. My mom/dad/wife/husband made me come.
Reconciliation: Repent and be converted that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19) – what a beautiful promise!

Please join me as I ask the Holy Spirit to renew my worship this year. May we draw ever closer to Jesus: the ultimate resolution until we behold the Beatific Vision for eternity.