His Name Is Jesus
Well, here we are again – another year is ending, and a new one is beginning. I hope the past 365 days were good ones for you and your family. During this time of year we typically reflect on past events and make promises for the days ahead. Both thoughts can be productive if our focus remains positive and fixed on Jesus.
It is often said, “out with the old and in with the new.” “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the oldthings passed away, behold new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) As you contemplate the New Year, consider the words and predictions of the psalmists, prophets, and Gospel writers of Scripture.
In Psalm 24, David reflects on the story of creation with this reminder: “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains; the world and those who dwell in it, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who may stand in His holy place? This is the generation of those who seek Your face, so that the King of Glory may come in.” The reference to the sea is a poetic image of evil. Throughout the psalms, God is pictured as winning a victory over the sea. The King of glory has gone out to battle and returns in victory.
Who is the King of glory? In Him you will find all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. We cannot enter into these treasures, or attain them, without first experiencing suffering and embracing the Cross of Christ. This is why St. Paul says, “Do not grow weary in the midst of tribulation.” We have created a very challenging world for ourselves. This is not what God intended at all, so he sent his only son Jesus to help us.
A long journey of spiritual training is required to understand the knowledge of the mystery hidden in Christ Jesus. “All things came to be through him.” (John 1:3) We just celebrated Christmas, and Jesus has come. Mary and Joseph have shared their “good news of great joy for all the people.” We are invited to journey with them as we realize the great love that God has for each one of us.
We now have the light of Christ as our point of reference to shed light on the darkness of this world. In the canticle of Zechariah, the doubt that rendered him mute, because of his lack of faith and praise, was changed by the birth of his son, John the Baptist. This forerunner for Christ prepared a way for us, and his message of Jesus still guides us today. If we resolve, in 2014, to trust in the words of the Psalmist, King David, and John the Baptist – by allowing the King of glory to help us in our battles – we will become part of a generation who seek the face of Jesus.
The truth is that often, we are so focused on what we are doing that we forget where we are going. There are many distractions, deadlines and priorities that propel us into a rat race filled with fear and doubt – a contest we cannot possibly win without God. David provides a poetic visual for us of God doing battle with the sea. The words of Scripture and our own experience with life’s struggles have proven that there is nothing romantic about evil. Never underestimate the power of God’s love for us! “The Word was made flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory.” (John 1:14)
Make Christ more and more at home in your hearts this year. He needs you to be His forerunner, sharing with others His good news. He will calm the sea and all the storms of your life. In the hectic daily pace, I hope you know where you are going, and I pray it is heaven.
There is a song written by a group called Third Day;the title is “King of Glory”. The words to the song ask this question: “Who is this King of Glory who pursues us with great love? He is King of Angels, Prince of Peace, Son of God and Son of Man; He humbled Himself as a baby, living His life for us, conquering sin, giving us eternal life and peace. He is the Lord of earth and heaven, He is everything to me!”
God Bless your New Year! Amen!
