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The week Dec. 28, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016
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'Get up and flee to Egypt'
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Restoring the dignity of every human being
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Our collect for Sunday Jan. 3 reads, "O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ..."
readings mirror this description. But perhaps most pointedly our Gospel describes the arduous refugee's journey taken by Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus. As we reflect on the harsh burdens placed on them we can hardly ignore the struggles today of people around the world to find a safe place for themselves and their families.
Let us recall the final commitment in our Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common Prayer p. 305) to respect the dignity of every human being. It applies, of course, to the neighbor God commands us to love. It applies to our families and friends, even when they seem unlovable. It applies to ourselves and that means we have to do our best to behave with dignity.
And let it apply, especially in our year end/ New Year awareness, to those who risk all to find a life where they can live in safety and freedom. May we provide aid in such a way as a nation and as a community of nations that all may come to realize that we can join Christ in the mission of restoring human dignity on earth.
This week's calendar:
Dec. 28, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016
Dec. 30 Healing service 12:15 pm
Jan. 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR
Jan. 2 Buildings and Grounds 10 am
Jan. 3 The Second Sunday after Christmas: Rite I 8 am; Rite II 10 am
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