January 1, 2026
Yesterday was another day in another year. Today’s much the same; it’s another day, in another year. Welcome to 2026. Happy New Year everyone.
Looking back to January 1, 2025, there’s NO WAY I could’ve predicted how this past year would unfold. Who’d ever thought our nation would’ve experienced Christian martyrdom between our shores? Charlie Kirk’s assassination might’ve been “this generation’s” MLK moment.
Somewhat similarly, who would’ve anticipated the election of the world’s first American-born pope? Could Leo be the last? For a short time during Leo’s election, the ancient Catholics prophecies of St. Malachi’s were contributing to religious conversation.
Do you ever wonder what God is up to, what “will” of His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven? What might this year bring? I’m a wonderer and sometimes think of such things.
If you were allowed foresight to see how 2026 would unfold, would you take a peek? I’m not talk’n about shaking the magic 8-ball, gazing into a crystal ball, or consulting a medium. Nope. Nope. Nope-itty nope. God forbids such things. But what if God spoke to you audibly and said he wants to reveal aspects of our future and the year to come; would you want to know? Me? I honestly don’t know how I’d answer. That’d be such a huge responsibility. (For the record, I haven’t received any such revelation).
There’s something to be said about living in the moment. In writing to the church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul wrote,
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
In the next few sentences, St Paul continued to write: “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil” (1 Thess 5:19–22).
I think Paul was telling us to live in the moment, always with God.
Perhaps living in a moment like that is what Paul was getting at. While not the same, consider this “in the moment” case in point. Just as I was beginning to wrap this up, our little boxer boy Gus climbed up onto my lap, with his ball in his mouth, to take a sit. Never mind that I had my laptop in my lap; Gus-Gus wanted a sit-sit. Gus was living in the moment. Maybe God was trying to say: “Consider the gift that each moment brings.”
Thank you, Lord, for every moment of every day. Help us all live more in the moment, and to thank you for every moment that you give. Be with your church across the world, so that no matter what this year brings, we’ll all be with you in the moment and be drawn nearer to you.