As most of you are probably aware, it is traditional to drop the ball in New York’s Times Square. I have often wondered about that. Why on Earth would we want to start the New Year by dropping something, unless, of course, we want to drop some of our old habits. But, I have to tell you that, rather than seeing that ball drop, I would much rather see it lifted higher and higher.
What was it that the old song said, “Your love is lifting me higher and higher than I’ve ever been lifted before.”
A very short time from now, we will be observing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. I can still hear the Psalm he quoted ringing in my ears: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come.” (Psalm 121:1)
For too long, people had been knocked down and treated like something less than human. For too long, people had been treated as slaves. For too long, people have wandered in the wilderness. They need to be lifted and they need to be lifted higher than ever before. It is going to require G-d’s help, but Martin Luther King Jr. knew something that many people seem to forget. We are G-d’s helpers, or at least, we should be.
That most famous of New Year’s Songs says, “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind…” Well, I disagree. I think we need to bring old acquaintances to mind… and not only bring them to mind, but forgive them and reconnect with them. In fact, I believe we should lift them up.
Ask yourself, “Why am I here?”
My favorite troubadour, James Taylor wrote, “…me and Melissa, well, we fell out of love, ran out of luck, seems like lightning struck. I’ve been thinking of leaving, but I can’t raise a buck. James I’m wondering could I borrow your truck?”
This lyrical request is coming from an old friend who James had long lost touch with. So, you might be wondering how James Taylor answers this old acquaintance’s request. Let me share the next part of the song with you as Sweet Baby James writes: “…that’s why I’m here, got no better reason; that’s why I’m standing before you; that’s why I’m here.”
Wow, James gets it … and I have to tell you that I am lifted every time I hear him sing. The other day, someone asked me what my job as a Chaplain entailed and, before I could get a word in edgewise, someone else in the room said, “He is here to lift us up.” And, at that point, all I could add was, “You, too, are here to lift people up.” May we all use the unique gifts that G-d gave us to lift up someone who is down … and, with each other’s help, may we be able to lift them higher and higher.
Shalom My Friends,
Rabbi Ezring
Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of Health Care settings in the area including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.
