Our perspective of time, for the most part, is confined to our shared mortal experience of circling around the sun on this terrestrial ball. While reflecting on the Church Calendar and its seasons over the past year, I have thought about this occasionally. Our ability to understand the infinite is extremely limited. The concept of time—and thus by association the invention of the Church Year—helps us glimpse at the endless spectrum of eternity within the constraints of our human abilities.
Time is a precious commodity in the earthly sphere. We know that our time here is limited. As people of faith, we are urged by our belief in the Eternal Kingdom to make the most of the time we are given here. Not in the sense of chasing after selfish possessional gains that only last a lifetime, but instead investing our selves and spirits into that which transcends time.
Indeed, every day and every moment we are alive is an opportunity to focus on self or focus on others. We must focus on ourselves to some extent, of course, so we are wholly healthy. Even then though, our inward desire for being wholly healthy should be for the purpose of utilizing our good bodies and spirits to advance the mission of our Lord Jesus—bringing about the Eternal Kingdom wherever and however we can.
When I consider why I write this blog, the aforementioned is part of the reason. To me this blog is like a “message in a bottle” or (perhaps more appropriate for this post) a “time capsule”. I don’t know who may find this and read it. Or who may care about this sprinkling of thoughts and be motivated to some sort of righteous action. Or who might find themselves closer to the Divine or motivated to follow the Lord Jesus with their whole being. I pray for all these things and simply trust that these writings are part of my contribution to this moment of human existence.
Now, having concluded (if such a definite statement could ever be said) this series on the Church Calendar, my plan is to change my focus here to the Gospel of Matthew. Indeed, the new Church Year (from now through next November) is focused primarily on this gospel, so it simply makes sense. I also view this year as an opportunity to reopen my series “faith and politics” (which was initially short and ended abruptly) given the current times, and since there is no better gospel for which to peruse the political sphere than the one attributed to Matthew. More to come in the weeks ahead…
Relevant Reformation 