The Lord Bless And Keep You In 2014

Rev. Fr. Paul Lelen Haokip *

INTRODUCTION:

"Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to."

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."

Irrespective of religion, caste, colour, profession and allegiance to a pattern of thought, houses are decked with new Calendars of 2014. Even the very act of buying a new Calendar is a hope for the future. We may not even see the end of 2014 (Wednesday 31 December). Every being is encouraged to carry on life with HOPE. Life without HOPE is HOPELESS and a Hopeless life is WORTHLESS.

A LEADER LIKE MOSES:

Today, we have many leaders but not many sacrificing-leaders. People oriented Mr. CM of Delhi (Kejriwal) seems to be a leader with the people, for the people, depending on the people and of the people. Some would-be-leaders (political & spiritual) kneel before us seeking blessing prior to their election/elevation as leaders. But after election/elevation, we kneel before them for favours. What an irony!

Change of roles? God had promised Israel during Moses' leadership that one day He would raise up another leader like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). This promise is announced as fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus (Acts 3:18-26). Certainly, Jesus is like Moses in many respects; for example, as Moses led people out of bondage in Egypt so also Christ Jesus frees us from bondage to sin. Also, Moses chose to leave the luxury of Pharaoh's palace and suffer hardship with his people, and Jesus chose to leave heaven and dwell on earth as a man. Before we lead others, each one needs to lead ourselves spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and socially.

BENEDICTION:

Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I shall bless them (Numbers 6:22-27).

According to Jewish writings, this benediction was quoted daily in the temple as well as in the synagogues. The words of this blessing, given through the mediator Moses, becomes even richer when we consider them in relationship to our new mediator and leader like Moses, that being Jesus Christ. In the light of the new covenant, which is a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6) we, as children of God have much to rejoice about.

THE LORD'S BLESSING:

Every human being seeks blessing from parents, elders, teachers and God to face the unknown future and the unseen enemy of life. "The Lord bless you..." (Numbers 6:24a). The blessings of God, spiritual and physical, ought never to be taken for granted. This benediction recognizes the source of all good things as being God (cf. James 1:17). No doubt the people under Moses' leadership thought of the blessings God had promised them if they would continue to obey Him faithfully.

He had promised that "if you will diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments..." that "... all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you." (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). Then the blessings are described. They would be blessed in city and country; in their offspring and the offspring of their flocks and crops and in protection from their enemies. The Lord would make them "abound in prosperity" (Deuteronomy 28:3-14). This blessing is sought in humility and reverence.

THE LORD'S KEEPING:

The year 2013 slips away with 31st December leaving all of us a bit regretful about the many good that could have been completed. "...and keep you." (Numbers 6:24b). The idea of "keep you" is divine protection. In Moses' time, this would refer to protection from hostile invasions and drought and things chiefly of a physical nature. However, again the emphasis shifts in the New Testament and deals more with spiritual protection.

One good example of this is the figure of speech that Jesus uses to describe His relationship with His disciples. He is the "Good Shepherd" and we are His sheep. He knows His own, and His own know Him. He lays down His life for his sheep so that they may be protected from the robber or the wolf. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and as long as they do, He keeps them safe promising them eternal life (John 10:1-16; 27,28). A tuned ear/life would be the criteria for being good sheep for the Good Shepherd.

CONCLUSION:

The leaves of the New Year will turn whether you like or not. Each day becomes fruitful by your pro-active, pro-life, pro-peace, pro-land, pro-people activities. If you pray without meaning, then it is meaningless. If you pray without thinking, then it is thoughtless. If you enter 2014 without a goal, you may not reach anywhere. If not GOD, who will bless us and keep us. At the tick of midnight's hour the New Year dawns, at the tick of the blessing & keeping of God, human life becomes meaningful. May the blessing and keeping of God enables you for business and spiritual goals.