Happy New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that these first few hours of 2025 are finding you hopeful, rested, and ready to courageously face the new year.

Did you know that there are lectionary readings appointed for New Year's Day? And they are stunning!

Revelation 21: 1-6a is a vision of the new heaven and new earth, one in which God dwells with us and all is well.

See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.’

And Matthew 25: 31-46, when the sheep are separated from the goats due to having served the "least of these."

 “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food,

or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 

And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you,

or naked and gave you clothing? 

And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 

And the king will answer them,

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these

who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

What beautiful passages to begin a new year - with promises of newness, and a reminder that it is our responsibility to help usher in this new world with our acts of compassion, welcome and mercy. May 2025 bring goodness and peace to all!!