This is the time of year that we look toward 2016 with new resolve, or observe how far we have wandered from last year's resolutions. Have you ever noticed that New Year's resolutions look strangely familiar? As a matter of fact, don't they most often look exactly like last year's resolutions?

Too often in this season we look at the resolutions we made for our lives that we never got started. I was in a spiritual life retreat once with a group of clergy who were talking about the joys and pains of parish life. One dignified Roman priest told us that he was going on the fiftieth year of his ordination, which all of us applauded and celebrated. Within an hour this good priest was in tears. When he could finally speak he said, "Matthew 5. Matthew 5. Look how far all of us have wandered away …