Janus and Jesus

Beyond the Lectionary

Janus, the god of Roman mythology for whom January is named, is usually depicted as having two faces — one looking to the past and one to the future. It is this aspect of Janus that gives us an opening to talk about the new year, new opportunities and how Jesus, not Janus, can help us.

The first few days, even weeks, of January   are sort of shocking.

Most of us can’t believe another year has flown by. Tempus fugit.

And yet, this Sunday you will join your congregation for its first worship service of the year, and they will wait for you to set the tone.

In some ways, January is an exciting month because it is a transitional month — a month of beginnings.

In fact, the name of this month has associations with the concepts of beginnings, doorways, openings, gateways and transitions.

There’s little doubt that the name derives from the Roman god Janus, although not everyone agrees that the month was so-named because of its aptness as the first month of the year.

Janus is usually depicted as having two faces, one looking to the past and one to the future, and it is this aspect of the Roman god Janus that provides the homiletical thrust for today’s “Beyond the Lectionary” message based on a Philippians 3 text, which is...