Before beginning a consideration of the sacrament of Confirmation, as the new year 2011 begins I thought I’d consider New Year’s Resolutions. It’s not too late to think about making one or two. Now this is not really a religious subject … or is it?

The Biblical author St. Paul seems to think so. He once wrote to fellow Catholics at Ephesus: “You should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way, in righteousness and holiness of truth” (4:22-24).

Personally, I think that a determined decision to improve is always a good idea. It’s an especially good idea if we stop acting in a self-destructive manner and begin to behave in ways which will make us healthier. Yes, I’m reminded of my perennial New Year’s resolution to lose some weight! <smile!> But even more importantly I’m thinking of other resolutions that have been made by me and others: spiritual health, for example, is just as important as physical health. So can be family health, or intellectual health, or emotional health.

Why not resolve to set aside 15 minutes each day for a quick “Morning Offering” prayer and Bible verse? Or resolve to read the kids a bedtime story once a week this year? Or resolve to get a physical exam from your doctor? Or resolve to read one good book each month? Or resolve to help serve a meal to the poor at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room on your birthday? Or resolve to plant a garden this spring? Or resolve to surprise someone with chocolates? Or … ?

My list of possibilities is a long one! What about yours?