Saint Casimir (Optional Memorial)

The people of Nineveh . . . proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. 

It’s estimated that only about 8 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions actually stick with them.   There are several reasons for this.   People tend to make goals that are too general, like “lose weight,” or too hard, like “run ten miles a day.”  Another reason may be that they don’t feel connected to other people who share similar goals.   They may feel that in the end, it’s a lonely struggle that doesn’t seem worth the effort.

In today’s first reading (Jonah 3:1-10), notice how quickly the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s message.   Obviously, they were serious about fulfilling their goal of repentance.   But what do you suppose motivated them?   It’s apparent that the Ninevites were in this together.   All of them fasted and all of them did penance. This is surely what helped them keep their resolve.

That’s something we should consider as well.   We may have only recently made Lenten resolutions.   We do these things so that we can leave our sinful behaviors behind and grow closer to God.   But we may already be struggling with keeping some of them.

If that’s the case, you may need to shift your strategy a bit.   Find someone who wants to join you in your Lenten practices.   Perhaps you’ve decided that you want to pray the Rosary every day.   Maybe your spouse could join you in prayer each evening before bed.   You may have decided to fast from lunch once a week.   You may be able to find a coworker who is also willing to fast and take a walk with you instead.

Here’s another strategy that may help: ask a friend to encourage you and keep you accountable.   That person might be able to give you a phone call—and a pep talk—each week to see how you’re doing.   You could do the same for them.

You are not alone; you are part of the body of Christ.   There is so much more incentive to stay the course when you have other people running the race with you.

“Lord, give me the humility to reach out to my brothers and sisters for help and encouragement!”

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Luke 11:29-32