I think we should still have new year’s resolutions. In fact, I think we should be open to have new “resolve” all the time. We should always be open to conversion. Too many of us have this idea of a one time conversion. My experience now says that I must be changed all the time – or at least open to it.
The fact is that humanity must be open to changing for the better constantly. What are the other choices – getting worse or staying the same? We all know that if you try to stay the same you end up going backwards.
Christ is a pretty consistent game changer, flexing the rules with grace and new opportunities. We can count on Him being the same yesterday, today, and forever but that does not mean that we get to stay the same.
I think about Jesus when it says that He “turned His face toward Jerusalem.” This was the time that He had to resolve to go forward with the plan of the cross.
Where have you turned your face, vowing to see it through to the end though others may turn to the left or the right?
In this age of the incarnation, I have two resolutions. As a minute and small man, I will stay with my friends on the streets and on the West Side. I may not have all that is needed; I may fall short when it comes to abilities – but I will turn my face in that direction every week and go into it. I am also now entering a new phase of returning to State Street and the night life there.
I have also resolved to be open to what Christ may be doing, because to be honest, I don’t fully get it. At Pershing Park now, there are as many people coming from other faiths as my own. It seems to me what God is trying to do there, is create a feast at the temple, where all people are invited. It seems to be a great experience of peace making and bring many tribes to one place. It started with around 10 of us housed and not housed, and not it is a huge party with wonderful home cooked meals every week from those who care for friends on the streets. It has taken on a life of its own and I have to be open to what it is… whatever it is? I remember Jesus wanting so much the Temple to be a place where all nations could come for interaction with God. Have we stumbled upon something here – I love it but I sense it may make others uncomfortable.
This is the age of the Incarnation – where we have no choice but to make resolutions, those resolutions being to go with Christ into the center of humanity and love with the same love that we have received. The call is the same as it was 2,000+ years ago – “Come Follow Me.”