Many Christians may begin the New Year with a resolution to foster their spiritual life. This may include going to daily Mass more, or listening to a podcast on the Bible each morning, or participating in a new group at Church. All these resolutions are wonderful and can be fulfilling, but just like a resolution to go to the gym, can dry up quickly if not properly nurtured.

The water and the fertilizer for our new spiritual beginnings must always be prayer. Dorothy Day said, “If we are rushed for time, sow time and we will reap time. Go to church and spend a quiet hour in prayer. You will have more time than ever and your work will get done. Sow time with the poor. Sit and listen to them, give them your time lavishly. Sow kindness and you will reap kindness. Sow love, you will reap love. “Where there is no love, if you put love, you will take out love:–it is again St. John of the Cross.” 

We must sow time by praying. It is only through prayer that we will find the strength, the time, and the courage to carry on with our new beginnings. Prayer can be the first step to guide us towards our new beginnings, and it must be the continuous step as well. 

Jesus had many new beginnings as He set out in his earthly ministry through Galilee and Judea. He was determined to reveal the Kingdom of Heaven, to heal the sick, and to give liberty to the captive. Jesus often went up the mountain, alone, to pray with the Father. It is only after going up the mountain to pray that Jesus was able to come back down for His new beginnings. Let us imitate Christ with our actions and prayers as well.