Category: Jewish

One Word for 2017

Posted on by Susan Panzica

worship-2017

 

For the past few years, I’ve been part of a growing trend – to select one word for the year, rather than set a bunch of resolutions likely doomed to failure.

I thought the one word concept would work for me. And often throughout the year, it does. My word can serve as a little bird that flutters in my brain at the point of decision making, keeping me on track. Or it can serve as a sit-down-and-contemplate-for-a- while-experience. Previous one-words for me include:  Now, Faithfulness, Obey, Purpose.

To be honest, each year I fell short of my one little word. These words, all of them, were intended to spur me on to good works and help me stay on track of projects. They were to inspire my actions, to be purposeful, faithful, and obedient. Instead, too often I was distracted, disillusioned, or downright disobedient. At those times, I wavered between (1) berating myself for my lack of discipline and (2) remembering that in His grace, God still loves me, yet feeling like I disappointed Him.

I considered not choosing a word this year, right along with not making resolutions that I’d fail at anyway. But during this period of contemplation, I had a realization. It occurred to me that each of my words, strong and worthy as they were, focused on my efforts and achievement. They required the work of my will to be fullfilled.

I decided to change my focus. My word for this year is WORSHIP.

Rather than striving in my strength, I will seek the Lord on His holy hill. I will breathe in the Spirit. I will let Him guide me in these decisions. And all my actions will flow FROM His leading, rather than striving in my own strength and marginal wisdom.

Growing up, I attended Hebrew school and learned Jewish prayers that almost always start this way:

ברוך אתה ה’ אלהינו, מלך העולם…

Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha`olam…

Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe…”

 

Before asking for anything, we worshipped God. I’ve now printed out these words and posted them by my desk so that I have the reminder to worship throughout the day.

I realize that I still need to be obedient to His calling, but if my focus is on Him, I anticipate He will direct me. Both the words “discipline” and “disciple” share the same root: learner. If I am a disciple, I will allow my Teacher to lead me, and the discipline will flow.

Ultimately, for me, my purpose is to bring an eternal perspective to everything here on earth. There is an overarching purpose for each of our lives, and the daily circumstances and roles we play are small ingredients in much larger divine recipe. As I learn to keep my focus on the eternal in worship, I trust that God will direct me in everything I do and in every relationship I have.

Do you have a word for the year? What is it? And why?

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The Passover Question About Good Friday

Posted on by Susan Panzica


Part of the Passover Seder is the reading of the Four Questions. Usually this is done by the youngest boy, but when I was a child, my siblings were too young, so it was my job to recite – in Hebrew – the Four Questions. It is actually one question with four answers. 

Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilos?
Why is this night different from all other nights?
The answers:


On all other nights we eat leavened products and matzah,
and on this night only matzah.
On all other nights we eat all vegetables,
and on this night only bitter herbs.
On all other nights, we don’t dip our food even once,
and on this night we dip twice.
On all other nights we eat sitting or reclining,
and on this night we only recline.


When I saw the movie, “The Passion of the Christ” several years ago, I was stunned by one scene in particular, an ordinary scene that would not stand out to most of the viewers. In her home, Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked, “Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilos?” The subtitles displayed the familiar words I already understood, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” 
  
It was a lightbulb moment for me. I had known the question in the context of the Passover Seder, the Exodus, the familiar story from from childhood. Now I heard it in the context of the imminent betrayal of my Messiah. 
  
This night was different from all other nights because the sacrifice would be made for the sins of the world, past, present and future. 
  
This night was different because Scripture’s prophesies were about to be fulfilled. 
  
This night was different because the world would be forever changed. <<click to tweet>>
  
That’s why we call it Good Friday. It is a night different from all other nights. It was the night that we were redeemed. 

Tonight, if you attend a Good Friday service, remember the question “Why is this night different from all other nights.” More importantly, remember the answers!