Ordinary time... and a New Year (January '22 Newsletter)

We begin a new calendar year, already well into the Christian year. With Epiphany, the Christmas season of the Christian calendar comes to a close and we move from considering Jesus’ birth to Jesus’ life and ministry. Like the shepherds and the wise men, we are called to be witnesses. Like Mary and Elizabeth and Joseph and Zachariah, we are call to participate. Like the Disciples we are called to follow and serve. Each of us has different gifts and vocations; together we are the body of Christ, the church, for the world.

These short weeks between Epiphany and the beginning of Lent are considered “ordinary time” in the Christian calendar - and we are going to fill it with prayer. On January 9th we’ll hear of the baptism of Jesus and his entry into the wilderness as he begins his public ministry after roughly 30 years of living in Nazareth, growing in strength and wisdom, obedient to Mary and Joseph. Then our next series will be entitled “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” We’ll begin with a deep look at the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus gave the disciples in response to their request. They noticed that Jesus spent much time in prayer and that that time changed and empowered him. As part of our entry into this new calendar year and new season, I have a challenge or resolution for you. I’d like to start a practice of 301 prayer. To set an alarm and pause at 3:01pm each day (or another regular time that works better for you.) In the coming weeks I’ll share several ideas for what you might do in that time but the Lord’s Prayer is a great place to start.

Blessings on your journey into 2022.