By the Way: Real change requires more than resolution

By Rev. Kristy Reimers-Loader on January 6, 2024.

The transition from one year to the next always seems to involve some expectation of change.

Magazines proclaim, “New Year, New You!” on their January covers. Sales on vitamins, supplements and gym memberships reflect our past year’s regret for neglecting our health and physical fitness, and our New Year’s resolutions reflect our hope to do and be better in the future.

Change is in the air, but change is not something we relish. More often, change is a necessary evil we grudgingly impose upon ourselves, or which chafes when others impose it upon us.

We may agree some things need to change, but how to make it happen? How to make it palatable?

The first words out of Jesus’ mouth in Matthew’s gospel tell us he’s come to give us a philosophy of change: “Repent, (which is to say, change your mind) for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Mt 3:2).

These are welcome words when we’re so bone-tired of bloodshed and weary of war. The heartbreak of human suffering, starvation and strife is a constant presence, and runaway inflation is all too real when 20 bucks becomes pocket change after buying a dozen eggs, a jug of milk and a loaf of bread.

No one can deny the need for deep and lasting change in the world, and in human hearts after a single episode of the evening news. All of which brings us back to the topic of New Year’s resolutions.

Friends, until we resolve to change the way we think and act as individuals, there will be no meaningful change in our society and little hope for the future lives of our children and grandchildren.

There will be no resolution of our national and global conflicts until we resolve to make and keep peace across our fences and within our own families.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Mt 5:9)

The year 2024 could be one for peacemaking and positive change.

Do the people say ‘Amen’?

Rev. Kristy Reimers-Loader, priest in the Anglican Church of Canada

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