Perhaps you already know that the name ‘Katherine’ comes from a word meaning ‘pure’.

It only occurred to me this week how ironic this is.

My son and I had just had a lovely swim in the local pool. I don’t know what it was about the particular day but the water was clear and glistening in the afternoon sunlight.

And he asked me what mummy’s name means.

Purity, clarity. They’re delightful things. Life-giving, in fact. We know it’s problematic when things are soiled.

At the beginning of a new year,  I wonder what will help you get clarity. I wonder what will wash away the baggage and badness of last year – purge the contamination, so to speak.

Jesus says that those who trust him will have a river of living water flow from within them.

Perhaps this year is the one to check out God’s cleaning services.

St Paul’s Anglican Church meets on Sundays at 9am with kids church. All welcome.