We ring in the nw year with high hopes, dreams and ambitions. The promise of the unknown, a year untarnished, a clean slate, inspire many people to become better versions of themselves. Perhaps as we begin 2021 and journey towards the season of Lent, God is calling us to make a new vow — one that does not involve weight loss or gym memberships or a self-help regimen.

Perhaps this year, God is calling us to be with him. Every day. For at least five minutes. Then we can begin to see how he is always with us, whether we are in a season of darkness or light, drought or harvest, despair or joy. Indeed, when we take the time to be intentional about our relationship with God, all other priorities seem to fall into place.

My Guide for 2021
Though he did not experience a pandemic, St. Ignatius of Loyola did know isolation and suffering. Rising to military fame and fortune, Ignatius’ life took a dramatic turn on May 20, 1521, when, during a battle with the French, he was hit by a cannonball and severely injured. Spending many days alone as he recovered, Ignatius occupied himself by reading books on Christ and the lives of the saints. His life began to radically change and, over the next several years, Ignatius’ heart became more attuned to the ways of Christ. Rather than pursuing a life of luxury, Ignatius delved deeper into his faith, centering it around the fundamental elements of Catholicism: the Trinity, Jesus and the Eucharist. Eventually, this led him, along with six other men, to form The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1543. Ignatius created the Examen as a means of inviting God into our daily lives and creating a space for us to listen to him who is always communicating with us.