In this last week of the church year, we are challenged to consider what theologian Elizabeth Schussler-Fiorenza calls God’s intended rule, what many traditions call Christ the King or the Reign of Christ. For 21st-century Christians, some older metaphors of a heaven far away, or a militaristic organization of the community of faith, are no longer helpful; some vocabulary is in patriarchal language that is no longer ours. However, even by using older expressions of faith, we will reflect and pray with what Christ invites us to imagine and work for, as we anticipate how the Holy One will bring everything to fulfillment. This week we pray that God’s intended rule will come.
From Isaiah 65:
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad in what I am creating;
I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
From Howard Thurman (whose birthday is today):
The song of my spirit has wearied itself out.
It has long ago been learned by heart;
It repeats itself over and over,
Bringing no added joy to my day or to my spirit.
I will sing a new song.
I must learn the new song for new needs.
I must fashion new words born of all the new growth
of my life—of my mind—of my spirit.
I must prepare for new melodies that have never been mine before.
That all that is within me may lift my voice unto God.
Therefore, I shall rejoice with each new day
And delight my spirit in each fresh unfolding.
I will sing, this day, a new song unto the Lord.
