GOOD THINKING: EXITING 'JANURIUS' AND ENTERING "FEBRUARIUS'

Ancient history records that people through the ages have changed time to suit themselves. Once there were only 10 months in the Calendar Year, beginning with the month of March. Some Roman Emperor decreed that there be two additional months. He named them "Januarius" and "Februarius" and placed them at the end of the Calendar Year.

Roman society had a year-end custom that provided an opportunity for its citizens to meditate on the wrongs each had committed during the past year. Through various rituals and ceremonies the people expressed sorrow for past mistakes and wrongdoings, and sought to cleanse themselves of past guilt and shame. Roman citizens sought to "februum" to "make themselves clean." An appropriate way to close out the old year and to begin a new year.

Emperor Julius Caesar, during his reign, moved Januarius and Februarius to the beginning of the Calendar Year, and so they remain to this day.

February remains an appropriate, time to think about all that is wrong in one's life and to "come clean." February is a good time to reflect on all that is wrong in our community, in our state and in our world, and to begin "cleaning up" the MOSS.

February is here; let's begin with ourselves. We have little control over people and what others say or do. We do have control over what we say and do! February is a time to think about our own mistakes and wrongdoing. We've said and done a lot of things we should not have said and done. We've failed to say and do those things we should have said and done. We need to "februum," "clean up" our own life. February is a time to be more loving, more caring, more forgiving, and more careful about the things we say and do.

February is a time to be honest with ourselves and confess our wrongdoing. Confession is good, and cleanses the soul. We should confess our wrongdoing to God, both in private and in corporate worship. We might also make our confession to a trusted friend.

February is a good time to "clean up" our community, local and worldwide. We can begin by tackling one or two issues that most concern us. We can take responsibility for getting other people together to work on community problems. Amazing results occur when one or two concerned citizens believe that they can make a difference, and begin to work together toward finding solutions to community problems.

"Februarius" is an appropriate time to "make things clean": in ourselves, in our community and in our world!