Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach
Do you ever wake up in the morning and say, “Today I’m going to turn over a new leaf or start fresh!” At the end of the day, do you remember what you promised, or did you slip right back to yesterday? Just as bad habits are difficult to break, new habits take time, energy, and perseverance to form. Why is it so tough to persevere and create positive habits in our lives? Why is it that we know something is vital, but never seem to be able to make it happen?
We all know the words we speak reveal something about us. If we choose to use slang, swear or speak sarcastically, this tells a little about the kind of person we are. On the other hand, when we think before we speak, choose words that are pure, and decent, and find ways to build others up, this too reveals a little about the kind of person we are choosing to be. But we all know the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ Our habits, good and bad, are the actions which reveal who we are as a person.
We each have good habits we are proud of and bad habits we desire to break. St. Paul’s letter to Ephesians 4:28 encourages us, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” St. Paul is telling us we do not have to be defined by our bad habits. By making the choice to stop stealing and instead do honest work the thief is no longer defined by his stealing. We might rephrase this scripture to speak directly into our own lives. Let the sloth no longer sit on the couch. Let the glutton no longer overeat or overdrink. Let our Bibles no longer sit on the shelf. Let our Sunday be filled with Holy Mass and family time. If we no longer want our bad habits to negatively influence our identity, we should make the choice to change or eliminate these activities. Whatever bad habit we desire to break, it is important to remember it will take time, patience, accountability, and perseverance to break. However, these changes WILL transform our lives. The good habits we develop to replace the bad WILL lead to integrity, helpfulness, and greater virtue overall.
It all begins by establishing good daily habits of prayer. With our Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit who dwells within each one of us, we can overcome the obstacles we are sure to encounter as we seek to transform our lives. In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 12:1-2, he says: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
How do you strengthen, build, or begin a good habit? Prayer, practice, accountability, and perseverance! Pray for the Lord to give you the graces you need to exercise virtuous habits. A great way to start your day is with a morning offering to help you ‘turn over a new leaf’ and start fresh.
| Morning Offering O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. |
Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:
Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Romans 12:1-2 – I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Mark 7: 20-22 – But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.