Most of us struggle to live out our faith commitment because we don’t properly prioritize things in life.
As the adage states, “Most people do not plan to fail . . . they fail to plan.”
In living our call to missionary discipleship, we often neglect organizing our day in such a way that we place God first and then allow everything else to flow from this priority.
By developing a “plan of life,” we can organize ourselves, plan things out, and avoid last-minute improvisation or emotional impulse.
A personal plan of life interweaves things that are specific, but that can be easily adapted to the ever-changing circumstances of everyday life.
I was first introduced to this concept after beginning spiritual direction in college.
Using sports as an analogy, the priest stressed the importance of figuring out a “game plan” to achieve a victorious outcome.
Several years ago, Bishop Donald J. Hying did something similar when he introduced the “four Holy Habits” to help foster an awareness of God’s presence and encourage us to strive for holiness.
The first Holy Habit is Praying 15 Minutes a Day.
In our plan of life, we should identify moments throughout our day in which we can intentionally converse with God in prayer.
A morning offering is a wonderful way to begin our day as we awaken and give to God our entire day — the prayers, people, activity, and sacrifices we may encounter.
We should thank the Lord for giving us another day to draw closer to Him and to lift up those intentions and people we wish to remember in a special way.
Some people dedicate quiet time to recite their favorite prayers, read from Scripture, or prayerfully preview the details of the day asking for the grace needed to fulfill their duties and obligations.
Others may attend Mass or make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament when possible.
Devotional practices such as the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross, or similar may serve as a pathway to prayer for some believers.
Like a morning offering, an evening examination of conscience is spiritually beneficial to seek forgiveness for sins committed or to note missed opportunities of grace.
The second Holy Habit is Keeping the Sabbath Holy.
Beginning our week by participating in the Sacred Liturgy should be a highlight of our week.
Celebrating Mass with family, friends, and other believers where we can be nourished by God’s Word and Holy Communion provides the spiritual grace needed to live out our Baptismal commitment.
Besides attending Mass, we should try to dedicate our Sundays and Holy Days as a time for familial bonding and holy leisure.
Sundays should be a “day of rest” dedicated to the Lord, unlike the other six days of our week.
We ought to avoid any unnecessary work and learn to be creative by arranging activities such as visiting shut-ins or perhaps making a pilgrimage to a religious shrine or Jubilee site.
The third Holy Habit is Monthly Sacramental Confession.
This can be quite challenging given that our lives are so packed and we must manage competing commitments and deadlines.
One practical way to incorporate this holy habit is by scheduling Confession into your monthly calendar.
“Make an appointment” by selecting a particular time, date, and place to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Also, remember to allow enough time for a thorough examination of conscience.
In this way, you can easily build upon your evening examen and make a conscious effort to root out certain vices and to work on particular virtues.
The fourth Holy Habit is Practicing the Friday Penance.
Fridays are the day when all Christians should commemorate Jesus’ death on the Cross.
Catholics have always been encouraged to perform a penitential practice as a way of expressing our gratitude to Our Lord for His sacrificial death for our salvation.
Traditionally, Catholics abstained from eating meat every Friday as a spiritual observance.
And while such abstinence is no longer obligatory, we are still obligated to offer some sort of penance or work of mercy on Fridays in commemoration of the Passion.
Practicing the Friday penance is an act of spiritual solidarity, reminding us that we are all part of the Body of Christ and that our actions — whether good or bad — affect one another.
These four Holy Habits Bishop Hying has asked us to incorporate into our lives should be the spiritual core foundation of our plan of life.
And while there are endless practices, devotions, and activities that believers might add to deepen one’s spiritual life, it is best to start simple.
The key is to begin with formulating a basic plan of life and then slowly building upon these foundational habits.
With God’s grace and conscious effort, you are sure to find that they are not overwhelming burdens but instead expressions of love leading to authentic holiness and serving as an evangelistic witness to others.
Michael D. Wick is the director of mission for the Diocese of Madison.