The final day of the liturgical year has come as we enter into a new year through Advent. Is it simply for us that another year has gone and now it is time again to enter into a somewhat penitential mode in preparing our hearts for the coming of our Lord?
Or do we take this opportunity to reflect on how we have been living out our faith in our lives and are already ready, to greet Him when He comes. Desiring earnestly to grow day by day in our relationship with Him. Hungry and thirsty for His greater presence in our lives!
Lord Jesus if I must then let me be intoxicated only by Your love and presence in my life. Let me not care or worry for the ways of the world, but care only for Your flock whom You send my way. You are my rock, my stronghold my salvation! Let this Advent draw me ever closer to You. Amen
Blessed Virgin Mary pray for us…
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First reading
Apocalypse 22:1-7 ·
The Lord God will shine on them; it will never be night again
The angel showed me, John, the river of life, rising from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowing crystal-clear down the middle of the city street. On either side of the river were the trees of life, which bear twelve crops of fruit in a year, one in each month, and the leaves of which are the cure for the pagans.
The ban will be lifted. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in its place in the city; his servants will worship him, they will see him face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them. They will reign for ever and ever.
The angel said to me, ‘All that you have written is sure and will come true: the Lord God who gives the spirit to the prophets has sent his angel to reveal to his servants what is soon to take place. Very soon now, I shall be with you again.’ Happy are those who treasure the prophetic message of this book.
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Gospel
Luke 21:34-36
That day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
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