Now that the cacophony of Christmas is receding, it is now time to look forward to the new year 2011. Discard the old, lingering bad habits. Search our hearts and reflect on where we fell short. Build on successes achieved this year. Renew our mind and spirit. The Baby is born. Jesus is alive. Now the work of Christmas begins. It is time for resolutions. To be good, to do good.

Colossians 3:12-17 comes to mind as we prepare for the year 2011.

” Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

These words I believe form the foundation of what we should be about in the year 2011.

I read an article posted in the internet about a husband who couldn’t believe his wife when she said that she tries to do at least 100 good deeds every day. And so one day, just to test her, he decided to stay with her and find out for himself whether his wife was for real. She was surprised of course to see her husband who was a workaholic staying with her that particular day but she was obviously pleased.

The day was normal and it started with breakfast. Afterwards, she drove to the drugstore to pick up her medicines and later dropped by the supermarket. All the while, her husband accompanied her. By the time, she was finished shopping for groceries, her husband finally revealed to her why he stayed with her that day.

He told her, “Honey, the reason why I stayed with you today is because I wanted to find out for myself if it is really possible for anyone to do at least 100 good things each day just as you say. It is barely over an hour since we woke up and I already counted at least 20 good deeds that you have done. Now I believe you.” His wife, surprised at the revelation, replied, “Oh, I don’t count. Please tell me what I did.”

The husband then recited the litany of good things he noted that his wife did that early morning. “The day started with you greeting me ‘Good morning’ and giving me a kiss which was a good thing but I sometimes do not notice it. You prepared breakfast and served me hot coffee. I noticed you gave me the newspaper to read while having breakfast which incidentally you never complain about. Sorry about that Honey but I will try not to read the papers while we have breakfast. You also ironed my shirt that I am wearing. When we went out and while you were driving, you did not get angry at that driver who swerved into your lane but instead you blessed him with a short prayer for his safety. You drove well within the speed limit. You said thank you a number of times to those who were serving you at the drugstore. You put in a dollar in the cup of that poor beggar on the street when we were walking towards the supermarket. You greeted the doorman at the supermarket with a pleasant good morning. You said God bless you to that woman in the supermarket who sneezed.” And on and on did the husband recount the good things his wife did that early morning.

Yes it is possible to do many good things each day. Jesus did exactly that. He went about his day doing good. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He showed compassion to sinners. He was gentle in his ways. He taught his apostles and shared his wisdom. He was kind to the dispossessed. He forgave those who tortured and crucified him on the cross. Jesus loved much and paid the ultimate price for us.

Will it not be wonderful if all of us members of the Brotherhood did exactly the same thing? Be good and do good everyday of 2011.

Happy New Year to all the members of BCBP. May Jesus become alive in all our hearts throughout the year 2011. May we all reflect the face to Jesus to everyone we will meet by being good and doing good. God bless us all.