It seems like only a few weeks ago we were saying “Happy New Year” to our friends and colleagues, and now we are almost at the end of January, a full month into the current year. We’ve watched what one political commentator called the resumption of “bread and circus” entertainment in Congress, except that Congress is supposed to be tackling the serious issues facing us as a Nation.
Over this past month, we’ve seen some mild Covid spikes but by in large, the number of persons admitted to hospitals and ICUs continues to fall. It even seems that the RSV rates among young children has dropped. However, the incidence of measles among young children has risen.
And those of us in New Jersey wonder where the snow has been and if we will have some before the winter ends. Although the weather has been deceptively warm for January, it’s important to remember that we’re only a third of the way into winter. This season between Christmas and Lent is a good time to consider who we are as a people striving to reflect the Gospel in our daily lives.
Prayer for the Day
Holy Love, who graces our lives with love, open our hearts,
And show us the possibilities of your infinite love for all beings;
Move us beyond a sense of duty into an ever widening circle of love,
Opening us to possibilities we never even imagined;
Enlarge the boundaries of our thought and imagination,
Confronting us with love's demand for justice and mercy,
As did the One who lived for others,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
January is the month for dreaming.
- Jean Hersey, American writer from The Shape of a Year (1902-2011)
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
- Joseph Campbell, Comparative literature writer (1904-1987)
These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things -- anger wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices, and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
- Letter to the Colossians 3:7-10