Today is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, the start of the new year.

Endings and beginnings are good times for reflection. What actually do I believe?

For me, the Contemporary Testimony still says it best.

As followers of Jesus Christ
living in this world--
which some see to control,
and others view with despair--
we declare with joy and trust,
Our world belongs to God!

The middle way between triumphalism and despair is not tidy, but it best fits reality as we know it.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, let me not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Rochester (NY) Christian Reformed Church

Argus C3 Brick, 50mm lens

Ilford Delta 100 Professional
Negative scan worked up in the Gimp