An Ideal Ruler, Reflection on Psalm 72:1-2, 10-14

The presence of God is revealed. God's light draws us to Christ, and radiates in us and through us.

As we think about Christ as the perfect leader, we can also think about how us humans are supposed to do our leading. Look at Psalm 72.

A leader is supposed to judge with righteousness, to judge the poor with justice. Keep reading.

A leader is supposed to care for the needy, the poor, and those without a helper. A leader is supposed to redeem the the weak and the needy from oppression and violence.

Consider working some more on your New Year's Resolutions.

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I made the choice for daily readings this week by using ones for New Year's Day for Monday through Wednesday then shifted to readings for Epiphany. I omitted Holy Name and 1st Sunday after Christmas. Here's what the United Methodist Church offers to help us make liturgical choices during this complex week:

"Where to Begin?
December 31 and January 1 this year mark a "grand liturgical collision!" There are many possibilities for celebrating in the Christian calendar. December 31 in Methodist heritage has been a Watch Night, sometimes involving a rigorous service of covenant renewal and/or baptismal reaffirmation. For Lutherans, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and some others in the broader Western tradition, January 1 is The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, commemorating his naming on the day of his circumcision (the eighth day).


For United Methodists, January 1 this year is celebrated as Epiphany Sunday, the Sunday nearest and prior to the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6). Next Sunday (the first Sunday after Epiphany), we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.


Given all these choices, what should you plan to do?


First, keep in mind that major feasts and Sundays always take precedence over others. So for your principal services on Sunday morning, celebrate Epiphany. Readings and helps for Epiphany are included below.


That still leaves you multiple options for what you may do on Saturday night (December 31) or at other times on Sunday (January 1).


Dan Benedict's article on Watch Night and Covenant Services provides very helpful guidance. As Dan notes, unless you have in place a process for following up on covenant pledges (like a strong set of Covenant Discipleship groups), the Covenant Service may become more of an exercise in ≈heritage worshipç than actually accomplishing what it is designed to do. If you do have such systems in place, by all means, go for it!


This means that if your congregation is like most United Methodist congregations, you may wish to think about December 31 as a prayer vigil/watch night related either to New Year's Day or, if you have the opportunity to celebrate with local Lutheran or Anglican/Episcopal congregations, Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.


As for reaffirming the baptismal covenant on December 31 or January 1, keep in mind that Baptism of the Lord (the following Sunday!) is a more typical time to do that. Some may appreciate the ability to do this twice in two weeks. Others may find it problematic. Work with you worship planning team to discern which approach is best for your congregation."