At the start of a new year, a new month, or even a new week, we may resolve to develop better habits. That is a worthy goal, even if we are not always successful in keeping our own promises.

In Baptism, we are united to Jesus, buried with him and raised to new life: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The sinful self, dedicated to fulfilling our selfish desires, “has passed away” and we “have put on the new self” (Colossians 3:9-10). We have been created anew, dedicated in the power of the Holy Spirit to living in new and better ways as we walk in the footsteps of our Savior. God resolved to make us new, and he kept his promise!