1 John 2: 15-21;
Psalm 96: 1-2.11-12.13 (R. 11a);
John 1: 1 -18 Full Readings
Saint Sylvester I, PopeLeave All to God
Brethren, today is the last day of the Year 2020 and on this day let us look back and see how the year has been, how God has been with us in different situations and you may also see that many antichrists have appeared as we see in first Reading (1 John 2:18); those who tried to take you away from the light that new born king brings to the world to the darkness which Satan and his Angels always seduce all to follow. We may also see that many of us suffered directly or indirectly with the current coronavirus pandemic in addition to many life problems. It may have been a very difficult Year for many of us. However, whichever way the year has been, tough or not, doesn't mean that we stop thanking God for enabling us to reach this day. In fact if it was not God, we would not have reached this far. This gives us more reasons to thank God and also thank the new born king who came to be with us on Christmas day.
Though this year might has been tough, or whichever way it has been, we don't need to be bad and think negative about the coming year 2021. Even the most “impossible” year can be made incredible with God. Even the most sinful year can be turned to the good by repentance, forgiveness, and total commitment to Jesus. “All is well ends well.” End this year by accepting God’s grace.
Even if you have endured such a year as Job had, you have so much for which to be thankful. No suffering or tragedy should overshadow the “love upon love, grace upon grace” (John 1:16) that God pours out over you. “Of His fullness we have all had a share” (John 1:16). The Lord has again “crowned the year” with His bounty (Ps 65:12). “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just”
“Give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). “Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness” (Col 3:15). “Let the last word be, He is all in all! Let us praise Him the more, since we cannot fathom Him, for greater is He than all His works” (Sir 43:28-29). Thank You, Jesus, for 2020. I love You with all my heart.
Today’s Gospel teaches us that we become partakers of Christ's divine nature, as children of God if we accept Jesus Christ. If we are going to behold the glory of God we will do it through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the partaker of our humanity so we could be partakers of his divinity (2 Peter 1:4). God's purpose for us, even from the beginning of his creation, is that we would be fully united with him. When Jesus comes God is made known as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By our being united in Jesus, God becomes our Father and we become his sons and daughter.
Brethren, Jesus becoming Word made Flesh is good news for because as we have seen in the Gospel today, he is the light of the world dispelling all darkness from it, those who accept him will be given power to become the children of God. Brethren, though we might have some difficulties during this year, welcoming Jesus the newborn king, will enable us to move on to the next year with joy and happiness as children of God and knowing that God's love never leaves us alone and will also be with us this 2021.
Reflect today on the experiences of this year. Where has been God and what is God teaching and calling you to through these experiences? You will find many reasons to thank God; and ask courage and grace to enter into 2021 gracefully.
Let us Pray
Almighty God and Father of light, your eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace especially in the new coming year. Amen
Be blessed on this last day of the year 2020 and May God grant you a prosperous NEW Year 2021
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