Another year comes to an end today, allowing us to put all the mistakes we made behind us, along with all the pain and heartache and suffering we went through. We can look forward to the promise of a fresh start as a new year begins tomorrow. 

To this effect, we will make resolutions, things we would like to see ourselves accomplish over the year. This can be losing weight (a perennial favorite), learning something new, taking up a hobby, or succeeding at something we have set our hearts upon. If we are spiritually minded, we might consider spending more time praying or reading the Bible. 

The cynic would say, “What’s the point? These resolutions don’t last.” Even if that is true for some of us (most of us?), the resolutions serve an essential purpose: they identify things that we would like to correct or improve in our lives, which is never a bad thing. 

However, there is no reason why we shouldn’t keep our resolutions. The key is introspection— examining one’s thoughts or feelings—regularly. Introspection for the sake of introspection is like navel-gazing. But introspection with a desire for growth is something else altogether, and the more frequently we do this, the more effective it can be. It’s like standing on a scale when trying to lose weight. If we weigh ourselves each morning, we can see if we are moving in the right direction. If we aren’t, we can take steps to fix it. 

Now, wanting to attain better physical health is a great thing. So also is improving ourselves emotionally and intellectually. However, we need to give as much importance to the soul as we give to the body, heart, and mind. And what better way to look after the soul than t0 walk in imitation of Christ.

After washing his apostle’s feet at the Last Supper, he said: “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:13­-15).

We may not be humble enough to get down to our knees before someone else at this moment in time, but we can consider other qualities of Jesus that we like—perhaps patience—and try to emulate them, one at a time. Let us gauge our progress every day, and pretty soon, we’ll be washing feet, Jesus style! 

There won’t be any reflections on the weekend, so let me wish you and your loved ones a blessed start to the new year!