WATCHWORD:
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
Meditation:
The Next Room
We are mere hours away from the birth of a spanking new year. The year 2021 is in its final moments and will soon die away and we will be left with only the memory. As promised, a whole new year dawns promptly at the stroke of midnight. Blessings upon blessings.
It would be hard to miss the symbolism of the calendar change and our own lives as promised through Christ. Our own life becomes dust and we move into eternal life, brand-new, bodies and minds sound, our joy unrestrained. Stepping from one room, our mortal life, into the next, our spiritual life. A comforting thought that a loved one simply passed into the next room and will be there when we arrive.
We have wrapped our arms around the whole idea of eternal life. Beautiful portrayals of Heaven and what we will encounter there. The religions of the world are inconsistent in their view of death and the afterlife.
Throughout most of the biblical era, no belief in life beyond death is to be found. The ancient Hebrew religion had no sense at all that beyond the grave God’s people would find a fuller life with Him. The Hebrews could no more imagine total personal extinction than we can, but they referred to the “souls” of the dead as dwelling in a dark, dreary, shadowy place call Sheol, a place located under the earth. From the Hebrew perspective, Sheol was a morally neutral place: all the dead went there, saint and sinner, king and peasant alike, and neither rewards nor punishments we’re expected, none of life’s joys and no presence of God. Sounds pretty grim, doesn’t it?
Over the centuries certain events and circumstances impacted the Israelites, and the understanding of the prophecies began to shape a new idea, the Messiah, the hope of the Jewish people. That hope was founded on the Resurrection, rather than Immortality, or Eternal Life. I can understand how the singular act of resurrection fits into a life plan, and they considered returning from the dead, in whatever form, as something to be worshipped? Sort of a life-do-over?
It seems to me that’s like a half a gift. The Resurrection is a centerpiece of our Christian faith, as is the concept of eternal life with God. The Resurrection puts us on a direct course to our Triune God; Father, Son, Holy Spirit. That is where our faith, our trust and our peace reside.
Years ago, I had a conversation with a Jewish member of the religion and philosophy department, at the college where I was dean. I think he wanted to exchange some ideas, or simply get to know what I believed. I was very frank about why I was a Christian and why Christ was such an important part of my faith. He talked a little about Judaism, and before we parted, he remarked that he envied my optimistic perspective on life after death. With a smile, I said that I knew the way and I’d be happy to explain it. He just chuckled.
This is why we come to the Lord with gratitude each day, for all the graces that have rained down upon us throughout our lives. Blessings upon blessings, and a peace that passes all of our understandings, all from a God who loves us. Amen.
Remember:
Beginning with Monday, January 3, Watchwords will be posted on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Irish Blessings for the New Year:
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old; Here’s to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold.
A Prayer For Peace in the New Year:
At the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you’re at work through our lives. Give us the wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we’re up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. We love you Lord…we need you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
