New Year, New Word

A Reflection by Retreat Facilitator Shannon Dahlstedt

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. John 1:1

A new year signifies a new beginning. Something about turning the calendar page from December to January inspires us, year after year, to begin anew. It used to be that gym memberships surged as Americans, bursting from holiday cheer, sought to recalibrate their lives, starting with their bodies. A new year provided the chance to cast off old habits and set a new intention.

Last January saw the world eager to rid itself of 2020 and the sadness and hardships brought on by the pandemic. Many were gripped by fear and despair, looking toward a future they dared hope that might offer a cure or respite from the disease that had broken our way of life. Socially distanced from family and friends, many turned inward, cultivating a spiritual life deeper than they had known before. Marked by loss of relationships, loved ones, work, and school - people the world over were united in our isolation, asking why we were called to be in this new way of life.

As we enter 2022, the challenges of 2020 continue their trek. Businesses and schools are once again wondering if they should close, and we continue to learn how to live in this new landscape. If you participated in last year’s spiritual exercise of choosing a word for the new year, I invite you to reflect on that experience. Did your word stay with you and give you insight or comfort? Even if this concept is new to you, keep reading.

The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. John 1:1
Franciscan writer and teacher Father Richard Rohr speaks of the word WORD coming from the Greek philosophy’s LOGOS, which means BLUEPRINT. To illustrate a subtle shift in understanding, he substitutes blueprint for word in the opening line of the Gospel of John. “In the beginning was the blueprint, and the blueprint was with God, and the blueprint was God.” He goes on, “No one thing came to be except through this blueprint and plan” [1].

What depth lies in this blueprint! Your home originated from a blueprint. Our human bodies came from a blueprint called DNA. John tells us that a divine blueprint underlies all that is; a divine thread weaves through EVERYTHING.

This illustration offers a new perspective on the word, WORD. Our culture is all about words, from the 280-character tweet to the words emblazoned on billboards everywhere we go. As children, we learned their power as our elders taught us to shake off mean comments from the playground. “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Only they can and do. I suspect each of us can recall something said to us during childhood that caused us pain. We know that words hold power. As adults, we know to choose them carefully.

Your Sacred Word

You may be familiar with the growing tradition of choosing a sacred word for the new year; perhaps this is a ritual you have done before. (Last year’s January reflection included this practice.) The idea is to pray for a word that you need in this stage of your life. Sit in quiet meditation with this intention or take a walk in nature. Ask the Author of the Divine Blueprint to give a word to you that you can bring into the new year. Try not to judge it; it may or may not be what you expect. And try, though you are carrying it with you, not to hold it too tightly. It may be a word that you only need for a while. You are free to let it go when it no longer serves. You can always ask for another one if you outgrow this one - even in the middle of the calendar year!

Receiving Your Word

Prayerful reflection is the best place to listen for your sacred word. Examine your needs, your desires, your feelings, your actions, your gifts. Is there a struggle inside you? If you could imagine a loving God offering comfort amid your effort, what would God say to you?

Or ask yourself if a particular theme keeps knocking on your door? Ask it what it wants from you and adopt a word marking its significance.

If you find yourself stuck, you can always explore the virtues:

Faith

Hope

Love

Prudence

Justice

Temperance

Courage

Do any of those words speak to your heart? A few more to consider:

Welcome

Forgiveness

Thank You

Kindness

Be

Listen

Accept

Choosing Your Word

If you find yourself with two or three possibilities, trust that in prayer one of them will begin to shimmer, telling you it is your sacred word. As you go about your everyday life with your new word, each encounter with it will remind you of something sacred and personal between you and the Author of your Divine Blueprint. You will remember that God is with you and intimately woven into the details of your daily life.

It is up to your own discernment to share this word with others or keep it close to your heart. A few years ago, my mother shared her word with my sisters and me, and we well-intentioned daughters sent her cards and items bearing her special word all year long. If this type of gesture does not appeal to you, better to keep your sacred word to yourself.

Living Your Word

When done in prayer, this intentional spiritual exercise has the power to deepen your intimacy with God and is likely to affect you much more than new year resolutions of old. As you encounter your word, know that God is with you. Live your sacred word as you understand its meaning in your life. Accept each instance as a unique encounter with the God who loves you and desires a relationship with you in the Divine Blueprint of your life.

[1]Rohr, Richard: The Blueprint: https://cac.org/the-blueprint-2016-10-24/. Adapted from Richard Rohr, Christ, Cosmology & Consciousness: A Reframing of How We See (CAC: 2010)

Share

We would love to hear about your experience. If you chose a word last year, how was your experience? What word are you choosing for this year and why?

Share in A Sacred Circle

How does this reflection resonate with you? Share with us. Every second Tuesday and fourth Saturday we share the monthly reflection on Zoom. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged. Learn more about Sacred Circle.

Make a New Intention

If growing in faith is an intention you would like to make, join us for, “A Beginner’s Retreat,” held three times a year.