Look Again!

As we read of the miracles Jesus performs, we look again at the lepers who are no longer lepers. Look at their skin! They are healed! Jesus walks on water! Look again, apostles! At first you thought it was a ghost! The crowds of people are hungry! Look again at how much bread and fish are left over after the crowd has been satisfied! John the Baptist was baptizing, but look again: now Jesus is baptizing in the region of Judaea, and many people are coming to him!

How about the subject of repentance? Do we know only one way of repenting? Can we get creative? Might we look at our repeated sins in a new way and figure out better ways to adjust our attitudes and habits? Can we make our near occasions of sin not so near? Atonement could give us renewed hope in our ability to try again.

Psalm 149 is used in the liturgy at this time of year, so let’s look at some verses again:

   Praise the Lord!

   Sing to the Lord a new song,

     his praise in the assembly of the faithful. (v. 1)

   Let the faithful exult in glory;

     let them sing for joy on their couches. (v. 5)

Think of new ways to praise the Lord, whether in the assembly or on our couches! A new year with new chances to come closer to Jesus when we look again at his love for us!

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Photo by Sam on Unsplash

Scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, Connecticut. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.