For many of us, January is a time for reflection on the events and experiences of the last year, and time for reflection on the events and experiences that might lie ahead.
We can never predict what the Holy Spirit will do in our lives or in the life of our beloved community. But we can name what we hope the Spirit will bring about in the next year!
I hope the Holy Spirit will bring each of us and all of us healing for all our ills and comfort for all our sorrows.
And I hope the Holy Spirit will bring each of us and all of us the good fruits described in Paul’s letter to the Galatians: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (5:22).
And I hope – well, actually, I know – that the Holy Spirit will continue making us all anew. Amen!
This message is excerpted from “As we live into an all anew year” by Audrey Novak Riley from the January 1, 2018, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate the Name of Jesus. Today is New Year’s Day.
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