A New Year
As each year commences, I often consciously remember as I fill in the dates on various forms that it is now a different year.
What might this year bring?
Listening to the news media there are often grim predictions about new leadership, the terrible consequences of wars and international
conflict, the effects of climate change and the latest wild weather events, while the celebratory stories it seems are the minor voices. Exploring the Scriptures, I note that years are referred to in different, yet sometimes complementary ways. In my Revised Standard Version Bible Concordance, I see that ‘years’ are often cited numerically and in relation to sovereign rulers. Examples include, “Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam’s son of Nebat, Abijam began to rule over Judah” (I Kings 15:1) and “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne” (Isaiah 6:1). The years here are not just chronological, they have meanings inferred that remind the hearers that something has shifted, and for those with the eyes of faith, a belief that God is involved in these societal changes and a
sovereign influence. Perhaps, in this week’s crowning of a Danish King Frederik and his queen Australian-born Mary after Queen Marguerite abdicated has similar overtones of significance.
Likewise, in the significant “Year of Jubilee’’ as described in the Book of Leviticus which is deemed a time of joy. Here, in the fiftieth year the Israelite people were to implement a sabbatical year by giving the land a rest from tilling or working the soil, forgiving all debts owed, granting freedom to any Hebrew slaves and with thanksgiving, trust in the providence of God for all they received. This Year of Jubilee can be compared to the “Year of the Lord’s favour” mentioned in Luke’s gospel, chapter 4 in the story of the sermon preached by Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth. Here he speaks of his missional task to proclaim, “the Year of the Lord’s favour” which includes “bringing good news to the poor” and “setting the captives free”. This year seems to stretch beyond a mere amount of time and heralds a society where there is more justice and equity, mercy, and forgiveness.
What kind of year might 2024 be for St John’s, Elsternwick, a year of God’s favour and mercy or merely, like turning another page in life’s book, one without reflecting on the significance of our own missional task? We too are called to implement changes with thanksgiving and letting go of what we thought was permanent to find a new pathway.
My prayer is for a time like a Year of Jubilee where, with sabbath intent, we consider pray and trust in God’s provision, and that it is not an “annus horribilis” a distressing year (as the late Queen Elizabeth once put it) rather it can be a year of blessing, faithfulness and new life which bears fruit for many years to come.
Peace to all.
Rev Dr Lynette Dungan