As we begin a new year, I invite us this week to pray together a scripture of beginnings – John 1:1-18.
It seems fitting to pray this scripture-of-beginnings at the beginning of a new year: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
It also seems fitting to pray this text on this Day of Epiphany – when we traditionally and liturgically honor the arrival of the Magi (or wise folk) in witness to the Christ. “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word meaning “to manifest” or “to make known.” What better text for this day than this: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” As Gail R. O’Day has written, this text speaks of how “God is made known in the enfleshed life of the Word in the world.”
It speaks of how the Word is made known in the fullness of humanity.
It speaks of how the Word is made known in us.
For the Magi, the Word was made known in the experience of a newborn child.
For us, maybe the Word has been made known in all manner of flesh – a hand held tightly at the side of a hospital bed – a song sung in harmony with another – a hot meal to meet our hunger, a glass of cool water for our thirst – a healing touch for a scraped knee – a word from a friend who knows us well enough to tell us truth we may not want to hear.
This text speaks of how the Word is made known in the enfleshed life of the world – how the Word is made known in us.
At the beginning of this new year, what word do you long to make known in the world? Today, what word do you long to manifest – in you – in your enfleshed life – in and for the blessing of the world?
What word?
I invite you to share that word here, if you want. But more importantly, I invite you to carry that word with you through the day. Maybe even write it down. In crayon, if you have one. Or on colored paper. Then fold it up and put it in your pocket. Carry this word with you into the world today in your prayer.
