NEW YEAR 2013

Eccle 3:1 – 13, Psalm 8, Revelations 21:1 – 6a, Mathew 25:31 – 46

The end and beginning of a year for many is a time for reflection resolution. If we were to reflect on the year 2012 one aspect which many would have not thought of but is important is how we have spent the time at our disposal, 8784 hours to be precise.

Parents would have spent their time hard at work earning for their children, but would have had no time for them, husbands would have spent their time earning but had no time for their families, children with all the technology at their disposal would have spent their time on FB, U tube, music, at the expense of time given for sleep. And many people would have spent their time in with the many serials on TV that they would have had no time for each other.

As Christians while some spent their time getting involved in various activities of the church there would have been giving excuses and making conditions to use their time for God, while the rest feel comfortable of using their time for God on Christmas and New Year only. A few would have found time for daily meditation whilst some would have not found time. For some the year would have been a time of distress, sorrow, silence and hopelessness. And there would have been those for whom the year would have been one of joy and happiness. Have we used time only for ourselves or has it been useful for others.

God by his providence governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to particular times.

God has given to humanity a portion of duration called time; the space in which all the operations of nature, of animals, and intellectual beings, are carried on; but while nature is steady in its course, and animals faithful to their instincts, humans devotes time to a great variety of purposes; but very frequently to that for which God never made time, space, or opportunity.

If time is used valuably what we do may be done with propriety and success; but if we neglect the appointed seasons, we sin against this providence, and become the authors of our own distresses. And God cannot take the blame since time given by God is not to be misused.

Chapter 3 of the book of Ecclesiastes begins with the saying that there is a time for everything. Except for death and birth, the use of time is in the hands of humanity. Time is one resource whether used or not can never be got back. It is one resource that cannot be made or created by humanity.

Eccle 3:2 – 8 is a poem that speaks about relationships based on how time is spent. If spent correctly it will build relationships. Time misused can break relationships.  

It is not enough to say that we have a good relationship with others but we have to prove it by investing our time in them. Relationships take time and effort. When we give of our time it has to be done in love. Then we give focused attention, be it family, friends, society, God or for the good of others. That will come at the cost of forgetting one’s self. To give of your time for the good is to make sacrifice. Sacrifice calls for commitment. Commitment has no excuse or condition.  Only then we show how much we value others as well as God.

We have to identify with whom are we to build a relationship.

Our gospel reading Mathew 25:40, 45 do something for the least. Incidentally the Greek word ἐλάχιστος is used to describe Bethlehem in Mathew 2:6 which was and still continues to an insignificant city. The small, weak, insignificant people whom we may think are of no use to society. And Jesus says it is such people that one should spend their time for. These are people who have 1000 reasons to mourn, to cry and to carry pain. These include not just those who are physically hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, imprisoned or sick but should include those who are spiritually as well as mentally in the same position.

It remains a concern that pride and self-righteous attitude of Christians become a stumbling block to spend time and build relationships with the least in society.

If not for the least – the fishermen, tax collector and zealous persecuting Pharisee you and I will not be gathered here at this moment. 

The bible reminds us “anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20)

We need to find reasons for spending our time for building relationships with the least?

When we look around our country and the world at large we find that the majority of the people are people who are in need. There are people who are in materialistic need, others spiritually in need and others who are mentally and physically in need. Jesus spent his time with such people. Christians; that is followers of Christ should live as Christ lived. Jesus said, “do as I have done for you” (John 13:15).

In Jesus we see one who hungered with the hungry, one who suffered in their suffering, one who was bound in their imprisonment. By being sensitive he changed the circumstance of people and restored them to their rightful place in society. To feed the hungry, quench the thirst, to provide shelter, to clothe someone, to care for the sick and have concern for the prisoner is to change the circumstance of such people. That is to give them an opportunity to live with dignity, respect and acceptance.

Man’s own action has segregated and continues to segregate people into classes of people, rather than giving a loving hand to lift them up. Since man failed, God in the form of Jesus has shown the world why we need to spend our time building relationships with the least.

When we spend our time for those in need, we not only recognize the image of God in them but renew God’s image in ourselves too. Our actions will create equality, justice and peace in society, though it will come at a cost. And so grow out of the idea that only I should be saved but we save others too and make them stand on the same level as us.

Jesus says “take up your cross and follow me” Mathew 16:24 lest we be identified as goats and sheep.  

How do we spend our time with the least?

We spend our time with the least just as Jesus did. He took off his outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist and washed their feet (John 13:4,5)

The base is love. The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves. We can give without loving, but we can’t love without giving.

So the writer to the Hebrews 13 says… (keep on loving as brother, entertain strangers, remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and to remember those who are mistreated as if you were suffering.

It is only those who are willing to offer their time unconditionally and without excuses will spend their time with the least. Service with condition and excuses are not for people who follow Christ – Mark 10:17-33. Today many Christians are so engrossed in wanting eternal life or to enter heaven. But by their rejection of solidarity with the needy they indirectly reject the kingdom.

The service that Jesus expects is one of sacrifice and that will reveal Jesus to the world. We always carry the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus will be seen. So that the life of Jesus will be seen in the mortal bodies, says St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11.

To many service is all about power, authority, recognition, status and domination – attributes which don’t reveal Jesus.

When we are in solidarity with the needy, we recognize the kingship of the son of man. We become agents of the kingdom of God, here on this earth. Then we live as Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you, the kingdom of God is at hand.

When we spend our time ministering to others we minister to Jesus. How we spend our time will determine our place in the new heaven and the new earth.

New heaven and new earth will be consumed by those who are only willing to realise that the values and the attributes of the kingdom of God are here and within us.

The New Year is another opportunity for us to model our lives on the only role model we have – Jesus, to make use of our time profitably. Then as sheep that have followed Christ rather than goats who think they know the way but have been wondering away, we too could be part of the dwelling where there is no tears, death, mourning or pain. Then we can join with the whole world and say O LORD our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. God Bless us all.