Monday Morning Meditation

With Rev Dr J Emmette Weir

"Behold, I make all things new" Revelations 21:5

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!" II Corinthians 5:17

There are indeed, few experiences in life more exciting, uplifting and awe inspiring than the transition of one year to another....the beginning of a New Year. For, it is at once a time for great rejoicing and somber reflection.

Yes, we can rejoice when we realize that God has spared our life to see the dawn of a new year. We can rejoice that we can forget past failures and disappointments leaving them behind us. "For better or for worse!" So we can look back with thanksgiving and even relief. We can remember the past; but we can't repeat it. For, as it has been truly pointed out, "Life is not a dress rehearsal. It is the real thing!"

What really is exciting about the beginning of a new year is the fact that it points us to the future. You see, the beginning of a new year causes us to think about the new challenges we must face.

It presents us with new opportunities. Yes, we may have messed up and made major mistakes during the past year. The new year presents us with new opportunities to succeed where we have failed in the past. We may have experienced breakups in relationships in the past. The new year presents us with opportunities for reconciliation. We may have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God in the past. The new year presents us with opportunities for experiencing the forgiveness of God as we live day by day trusting him in all endeavours.

Let us, then, as we begin this brand-new year, reflect profoundly upon the timeless words of St. Paul:

"If any one is in Christ, he is a new creature and the old has gone, the new has come!"

Therefore, let us, as we begin this new year resolve to leave behind past failures, disappointments, "hurts" ... sins and let us, as we embark upon this new year, look forward to its challenges with the courage, faith and confidence expected of those who share in "the new life in Christ." Hallelujah!

Yes, let us move forward to grasp its new opportunities... as students, to excel where we have done less than our best as parents, to be more diligent in setting before our children the example of godly living as workers, to be diligent where we have been lacking in duty as employers to be kind and considerate where we have been harsh and mean and, in general, to be forgiving in all relationships because God in Christ has made us a new creation.

Let us begin this New Year with Christ!

Prayer at the beginning of a New Year.

Lord, Make me an instrument of your peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury pardon, where there is doubt faith, where there is despair hope, where there is darkness light O divine Master, Grant that I may not seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, For it is in giving that we receive, In pardoning that we are pardoned And in dying We are born to eternal life!

~ Prayer of St. Francis