On the eve of a new year...

God, since the beginning, has left a witness to himself (Acts 14:17). Year after year he has testified of his existence. He has done so by grace, undeserved favor, goodness shown in common to all creation. He has thus testified not only that he exists but also that he is good. The blessing he gave to all living creatures at the beginning (Ge 1:28-31), promised again after the judgment of the worldwide flood (Ge 8:22), he has continued to pour out in the form of abundance and variety of food. He does good “by giving [us] rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying [our] hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). We all—humans, animals, fish, birds, and bugs—depend on him, whether we consciously lift our eyes to him, the Giver, or not. He gives us our food in due season; we gather it up; he opens his hand, and we are filled with good things (Ps 104). We have grown so accustomed to this lavish grace that, when at times he hides his face and we know hunger, we not only are dismayed but also speak evil of him, forgetting that our final destination of dust and fire should be our present state. For we have eaten what he did not give (Ge 2:16-17), seeking satisfaction in what was not real. We should be dead; but here we are, breathing on the eve of another year. He continues to give us bread from the ground, and he continues to freely offer, to all who will come and eat, the True Bread from heaven, of which—of Whom—if anyone eats, he will live forever.