Archive for the ‘New Year’ Tag
Above: Icon of the Apocalypse of John
Image in the Public Domain
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For New Year’s Day, Years 1 and 2, according to the U.S. Presbyterian lectionary of 1966-1970
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Judge eternal: in your purpose our lives are lived, and by your grace our hopes are bright.
Be with us in the coming year, forgiving, leading, and serving;
so that we may walk without fear, in the way of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—The Worshipbook: Services and Hymns (1972), 158
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Eternal God, who makest all things new, and abidest for ever the same:
Grant us to begin this year in Thy faith, and to continue it in Thy favor;
that, being guided in all or doings, and guarded in all our days,
we may spend our days in Thy service, and finally, by Thy grace,
attain the glory of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—The Book of Common Worship (1946), 316
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Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Revelation 21:1-7
Matthew 25:31-46
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To make a new year’s resolution is a frequent exercise in good intentions quickly abandoned for one reason or another. In the context of the assigned readings, however, I propose a truly daunting resolution for every year.
Only God can save the world, but we (collectively and individually) have a divine commandment to leave it better than we find it. This is part of eschatological ethics. Belief in the return of Jesus is no good reason not to obey divine commandments vis-à-vis our environment (being good stewards of it) and loving our neighbors (nearby and far away). The current world order is inherently corrupt, based on violence and exploitation. We have the power to reduce the extent to which that statement is true, but not to create Utopia, literally “nowhere.”
May we resolve to live in the awareness of the Presence of God, who commands us to follow the Golden Rule. May we resolve to acknowledge in thoughts, words, and deeds that thoughts and prayers are frequently inadequate and a cop-out anyway; that God demands that we act to improve situations when we can. May we resolve to grasp that the command in Matthew 25:31-46 to care for the “least of these” is too much for individuals, and frequently challenging for organizations, whether public or private. May we resolve to recognize Christ and the image of God in those who make us uncomfortable and are quite different from us. May we resolve to recognize immigrants and refugees as our neighbors. May we resolve, simply put, to love each other effectively and actively in the name of God and specifically of Jesus, who demonstrated his sacrificial love.
Love cannot wrong a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
–Romans 13:10, The Revised English Bible (1989)
Amen.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
OCTOBER 24, 2018 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF HENRY CARY SHUTTLEWORTH, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
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Above: New Jerusalem
Image in the Public Domain
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Koheleth advises us to eat, drink, and find happiness in work, for doing all of the above is a divine gift. And what is that work? Regardless of the particulars of vocations and avocations, that work, when it is what it should be, entails meeting the needs of people, to whom God has granted inherent dignity. The divine commandment of hospitality, as in Matthew 25:31-46, is part of Judeo-Christian ethics. Only God can save the world, but we can–and must–leave it better than we found it.
The end of Revelation (no “s” at the end of that word, despite Biblically illiterate additions of that letter) describes the aftermath of God’s creative destruction. By this point in the Apocalypse of John God has destroyed the old, corrupt, violent, and exploitative world order built on ego, might, and artificial scarcity. Then John sees a new heaven and a new earth. Then the Kingdom of Heaven described in the Gospel of Matthew becomes reality.
That event remains in the future tense. Until then we have work to do, for the glory of God and the benefit of our fellow human beings. May we go about it faithfully and find happiness in it.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 17, 2018 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK, APOSTLE OF IRELAND
THE FEAST OF EBENEZER ELLIOTT, “THE CORN LAW RHYMER”
THE FEAST OF ELIZA SIBBALD ALDERSON, POET AND HYMN WRITER; AND JOHN BACCHUS DYKES, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF HENRY SCOTT HOLLAND, ANGLICAN HYMN WRITER AND PRIEST
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Eternal God, you have placed us in a world of space and time,
and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love.
Grant that in the new year we may know your presence,
see your love at work,
and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever
–the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 63
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Psalm 8
Revelation 21:1-6a
Matthew 25:31-46
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Adapted from this post:
https://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/devotion-for-new-years-day-years-a-b-c-and-d-humes/
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Above: Happy New Year Lithograph (1876), by Currier & Ives
Image Source = Library of Congress
Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-pga-09060
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FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY, ACCORDING TO A LECTIONARY FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP IN THE BOOK OF WORSHIP FOR CHURCH AND HOME (1965)
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Eternal God, always the same,
Grant us so to pass through this coming year with faithful hearts
that we may be able in all things to please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
–Modernized from The Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965)
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Ecclesiastes 11:6-9; 12:13
Psalm 27
Revelation 21:1-6a
Luke 9:57-62
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The readings from Ecclesiastes and Luke say, as Ecclesiastes 12:13 states succinctly,
Revere God and observe His commandments!
—TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures (1985)
In the case of Luke 9:57-62 one does well to recall that Jesus was en route to Jerusalem to die. It makes sense, then, that he made no excuses and accepted none either.
Psalm 27 encourages confidence in God, even in the midst of many enemies. This is well-placed trust, for God is the one whose new world order of righteousness (as in Revelation 21) does not depend on human actions to come to fruition. We are still waiting, of course, but we can also have confidence in God.
These themes of obedience and confidence come together nicely for New Year’s Day, a traditional time for new beginnings. It is also a traditional time to make quickly abandoned and broken resolutions. My prayer for all people is that God’s best for them may be their reality. Regardless of the status of your plans, O reader, to do better in some way–diet, career, spiritual development, et cetera, may the new year find you in a continual state of enjoying God’s best for you as your reality. May you trust in God more than you do already and respond more faithfully to God than you do already.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
AUGUST 29, 2017 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
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Above: Jethro and Moses, by James Tissot
Image in the Public Domain
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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Exodus 18:13-24
Psalm 69:30-36
1 Timothy 3:1-13
Matthew 1:1-17
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of inclusion–inclusion of all the faithful regardless of gender, ethnicity, national origin, et cetera. In Matthew 1, for example, the author mentions four women (although we know there were more females than that involved in all that begetting), one of whom was a foreigner and three of whom had dubious sexual reputations. Even the aliens and the objects of gossip have vital roles to play in the unfolding of divine purposes. Furthermore, nobody can do everything (as Moses learned), but the division of labor and the faithful attendance to duty can enable the faith community to function as well as possible.
The author of Psalm 69 hates his enemies (who hate him) and asks God to smite them. We tend to omit such angry portions of the Psalms, do we not? They frequently make us squirm in our seats as we identify with those passages and feel less than holy as a result. We prefer to read the other passages–such as the assigned portion of Psalm 69–as we ignore the anger and frustration elsewhere in the same poem.
We cannot become the new creations in Christ we ought to be and fulfill our divine vocations as long as we embrace the desire for revenge. I write from experience. We need to acknowledge that anger and vengeance then give it over to God. We must detach from them if we are to grow fully in Christ, who prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified him and consented to that execution.
This Sunday falls in the vicinity of New Year’s Day. Therefore I offer a proposed resolution: may we abandon revenge and the desire for it in the new year.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 30, 2017 COMMON ERA
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A
THE FEAST OF JAMES MONTGOMERY, HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF JOHN ROSS MACDUFF AND GEORGE MATHESON, SCOTTISH PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS AND AUTHORS
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Adapted from this post:
https://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/devotion-for-the-first-sunday-after-christmas-ackerman/
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Above: Happy New Year Lithograph, 1876
Lithograph Creator = Currier and Ives
Image Source = Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/pga/item/2002695831/)
Reproduction Number = LC-USZC2-2550
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May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your saving way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples of the earth praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
–Psalm 67:1-3, The New Revised Standard Version
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What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
–The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question #1, from The Book of Confessions, The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (1967)
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To make then, after a certain amount of effort to keep them, break new year resolutions is a familiar pattern. Yet the changing of the year does mark a helpful occasion to take stock and decide to make necessary changes. My thoughts turn not toward dieting, going to the gym, or a host of other specific tasks but to principles, the expressions of which vary from person to person and circumstance to circumstance.
Each of us depends upon each other daily and is responsible to and for others in all tasks. And all of us depend upon God for everything. The popular lie of rugged individualism does not prove helpful in living properly. Yes, personal initiative is crucial, but one needs help becoming what God has made one to become. Thus may you, O reader, have all the help you need to become what you ought to become. And may you, when God dictates, provide all such aid possible to any other person.
May you walk with God daily and grow spiritually, fulfilling St. Francis of Assisi’s advice to preach the gospel always, using words when necessary.
May God bless others through you in ways small, medium, and large.
May you glorify God and enjoy him forever.
May you increase in love and decrease in judgmental attitudes.
May the parts of the Bible which disturb you the most be the ones you understand the best.
And may you have a living, active faith which makes no pace with injustice.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 29, 2013 COMMON ERA
THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS, YEAR A
THE FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS BECKET, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
THE FEAST OF JOSIAH CONDER, ENGLISH ABOLITIONIST AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF AUSTIN FARRER, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND BIBLICAL SCHOLAR
THE FEAST OF JOHN BURNETT MORRIS, SR., EPISCOPAL PRIEST AND WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
Above: Magnificat
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
–The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-22
Psalm 98 (Morning)
Psalms 45 and 96 (Evening)
Luke 1:39-56
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Some Related Posts:
O Blessed Mother:
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/o-blessed-mother/
The Hail Mary:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/the-hail-mary/
Feast of Saint Mary of Nazareth, Mother of God:
http://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/feast-of-st-mary-of-nazareth-mother-of-god-august-15/
Isaiah 60:
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/first-day-of-epiphany-feast-of-the-epiphany-january-6/
http://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/week-of-proper-20-wednesday-year-1/
Luke 1:
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/advent-devotion-for-december-21/
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/advent-devotion-for-december-22/
Prayers for the New Year:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/new-year/
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The Lutheran daily lectionary is doing something I did not expect: It is placing after December 25 material which other lectionaries place in Advent. Consider the Visitation and the Magnificat, for example. They are classical Advent material.
Yet a refresher course is appropriate. Christmas does not end on December 25; it begins then. And the light of God had dawned upon us. As we stand at the threshold of a new calendar year, may we seek to see God in those around us and to treat our fellow human beings accordingly. May the words of Third Isaiah be true for us and those among whom God will place us:
No longer shall you need the sun
For light by day,
Nor the shining of the moon
For radiance [by night];
For the LORD shall be your light everlasting,
Your God shall be your glory.
–Isaiah 60:19, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures
Amen.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 22, 2012 COMMON ERA
ASH WEDNESDAY
THE FEAST OF ERIC LIDDELL, SCOTTISH PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARY TO CHINA
THE FEAST OF SAINT PRAETEXTATUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ROUEN
THE FEAST OF RASMUS JENSEN, LUTHERAN MISSIONARY TO CANADA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS THALASSIUS, LIMNAEUS, AND MARON, ROMAN CATHOLIC MONKS
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/devotion-for-december-31-lcms-daily-lectionary/
BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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