Tobit 1 Resolutions

A lone Patriarch in Exile

A lone Patriarch in Exile

  1. I will augment my family prayer at home with an extra spiritual exercise.
  2. I will read and discuss the Sunday Mass readings at home with my family on Saturday before attending Sunday Mass.
  3. I will take my family to accomplish a work of mercy for the poor.
  4. I will assemble “homeless snack bags” to give panhandlers from my car.
  5. I will lead my family to a public Catholic prayer event.
  6. I will lead my family to a public political event.
  7. I will lead my family in peaceful pro-life prayer outside an abortion clinic.
  8. I will propose with my wife a way for our meals to reflect Friday abstinence and Sunday feasting.
  9. I will initiate a conversation with my supervisor about conditions for my next promotion or my next raise.
  10. I will recommend a trustworthy and qualified Catholic for next jobs in my firm.

Tobit Excerpts - Ch. 2, 5, 10 Resolutions

The Wife of a Patriarch

The Wife of a Patriarch

  1. I will praise my wife’s successes at home this week.
  2. I will praise my wife in front of others this week.
  3. I will praise my wife’s virtues to my children.
  4. I will read Proverbs 31 with my wife, and point out her amazing qualities.
  5. I will converse with God about a recent incident where I felt sorrow or embarrassment.
  6. I will thank my wife for ways she surpasses me.
  7. I will propose and plan an adventure that will stretch our family.
  8. I will discuss with my wife the fears of our children, and what exercises will help our children face and surpass their fears.
  9. I will speak with my wife about working through any fears of hers.
  10. I will ask my wife how I can best support her when she’s sad, stressed, or crying.

Tobit 4-5 Resolutions

Tobit Trains His Son

Tobit Trains His Son

  1. I will establish a regular rhythm of my own personal prayer that my family will see.
  2. I will model personal vocal prayer with each of my children individually.
  3. I will model the rosary with my family.
  4. I will gather my family at the end of Mass to lead them in prayer before leaving Church.
  5. I will ask my children how they pray, and I will tell them how I pray.
  6. I will share with my children something that my father taught me.
  7. I will explain to my family how blessed and proud we are be to be Catholic.
  8. I will establish with my wife the ways we will address the issues of chastity and sobriety with our adolescent children.
  9. I will make/update a plan for my children’s future educational or financial needs.
  10. I will discuss with my children the qualities of a great spouse.
  11. I will speak with my children of the nobility of a religious vocation.

Tobit Excerpts - Ch. 6, 7, 8, 10 Resolutions

The bride of Tobias

The bride of Tobias

  1. I will tell my wife again what I found to fall in love with her.
  2. I will ask God what role He has for me in “saving” my wife.
  3. I will fast and pray against any darkness afflicting my wife.
  4. I will pray with my wife for her healing, freedom, and blessing.
  5. I will lead my wife in blessing God.
  6. I will praise my wife’s parents to her.
  7. I will pray for my in-laws and for their intentions.
  8. I will identify with my wife any possible resolutions to tensions between us and our in-laws.
  9. I will communicate with my in-law parents/children about any desires, priorities, or logistics before the next visit.
  10. I will discuss with my adult children any hopes or desires I have regarding their wedding or their marriage.

Tobit 11 Resolutions

Tobias Heals His Father

Tobias Heals His Father

  1. I will pray a mature prayer of blessing for my parents and my inlaws.
  2. I will pray a mature prayer of blessing with my parents and my inlaws.
  3. I will write a note of thanks for my father’s training and commissioning.
  4. I will ask intentions from my parents for any healing they wish for themselves or for their relationships.
  5. I will explicitly forgive my parents their faults and excesses: “In Jesus’ name I forgive my mother/father for ___.”
  6. I will consult other parents about opportunities for initiation and mission in the lives of children.
  7. I will pray about the needs of my children for initiation and mission, and plan for their initiation and mission.
  8. I will ask God to reveal any “blind spots” I still have, and ask Him to give me people to help compensate for my blind spots.
  9. I will ask family members about my “blind spots,” and how I might keep growing better at what I do.