Today, I have the privilege
of writing this on the first day of the new year. The lectionary gives a choice
of several texts to consider but after much deliberation I chose to reflect on
Galatians 3:23-29.
Last night the world said
good-bye to 2016. I have found it mildly disturbing to read many comments and
memes on Facebook which have spoken of what an awful year 2016 was. Like
everything else on social media if it is written often enough and shared
multiple times it becomes a new sort of truth. Such is the power of social media.
Perhaps, it is because I am
getting older but I haven’t enough years to dismiss one as “rubbish”. Therefore,
I am refusing to believe that 2016 was an awful year. Of course, as with any
year there were some hard things happen. That is part of living the human life.
Yet, as I think back over 2016 I can also see so many good things. As the old
hymn urged people to do I want to “count my blessings, name them one by one.” I
encourage everyone reading this to do the same.
My personal good-bye to 2016
was one of thankfulness. It was a time to name and appreciate all the good
things that have happened throughout the months. It was another year which I am
grateful that I had the privilege of living.
So, today I welcome 2017. Our
back garden it is white with snow, largely untrodden. A new year stretches
before me in the same way. What footprints will I leave in 2017? How will I make my mark?
Perhaps, one of the saddest things
that happened in 2016 was that there was a rise in racism, patriarchy,
xenophobia, homophobia and fear of religions other than one’s own. It was these
words in Galatians that caught my attention. “There is no longer
Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and
female; for all of you are one . . . (28)”
I think these words are
a timely reminder at the beginning of a new year that all divisions made between
human beings are wrong. All people should be valued, loved and accepted.
As a rule, I don’t
make New Year’s resolutions. If I do they are usually trivial little things, rarely
fulfilled, quickly forgotten. But 2017 may have to be different. This year more
serious resolutions may be needed.
2017 may see a rise
in persecution for those who are perceived to be different. I would like to
invite all to join me in a resolution that this year we will stand against racism, patriarchy, xenophobia, homophobia and religious
persecution wherever and whenever we see it.
May 2017 be a wonderful year for
each of you. May it be a year where your footprints make a difference.
