1 John 2:29 -3:6 / John 1:29-34
If we had made a new year resolution, maybe it might be helpful to see how that resolution is coming along.
If by the third day into the new year and we are falling short of the resolution, then we may want to think about it again.
After all a resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something, and we have to gauge the level of our determination.
We may have to admit that we do not have much success with new year's resolution, or for that matter of fact, most resolutions.
Because the reality is that very often, our determination and will-power fail us, and no matter how good a resolution is, we procrastinate and keep delaying until the year comes to an end and our resolution turns to ashes.
The 1st reading seems to suggest a spiritual resolution as we enter into the third day of the new year.
It tells us that we must purify ourselves and try to be as pure as Christ.
We might think that it is not possible because we know that we had fallen into sin and we know how weak we are in the battle against temptation and sin.
But in the gospel, John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus wants to take away our sin, and no matter how much or how often we have sinned, Jesus wants to take all our sins away.
That is His resolution for us. Let us make that resolution to let Jesus take away our sins by going for regular confession, so that our hearts can be purified and become like the heart of Jesus.