A New Way

Many of us know about “old.” In fact, these days, things and even people sometimes get old “before their time.” Smart phones, iPads, laptops-even cars-from the moment they are purchased, all of these suddenly become old, seemingly depreciate.

But what Paul is speaking of is something being devalued. He is speaking about our old ways of thinking, our old ways of acting, our old ways of understanding and living. The old ways of looking upon the outside, at skin colour, at culture, at gender, these means of “understanding” are to pass away, to be done with, to literally die.

A new way is to be born, to be lived, to be celebrated. In Jesus’ life, death and resurrection we glimpse this new way. No one is untouchable. No one is excluded from the table. No one is to be prevented from being baptized. All are welcome. In Jesus’ life, death and resurrection a new way, his way, is born. The old, our way, passes away.

To new ongoing birth for all of us. Wow!

God of life, free us from our fear of death in its many forms. May our old pass away and your new spring forth. Amen. — TBL