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Revelations 22:1-7
Luke 21:34-36
This is it…the last day of our liturgical year…a sort of New Year’s Eve for the Church. Tomorrow we begin a new liturgical year as we enter into the season of Advent. In today’s readings we are presented with an exhortation in Luke’s gospel and an expectation in the book of Revelation.
Jesus, in this passage from Luke’s gospel, concludes his discourse on the coming of the “kingdom of God” with an exhortation. He warns his listeners to be vigilant at all times and pray for the strength to choose what is good while resisting the temptation to things that are evil or harmful. Jesus’ public ministry is about to come to an end.
We know that Jesus once came in history. He lived among people, suffered, died and was buried. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. However, we, like the disciple Paul, experience Jesus in the risen Christ present and now with us. Jesus, true to his promise, has sent his Spirit to be with us until his return in glory. In prayer we call upon Jesus to give us the strength to fight temptation and to remain faithful to his teachings. How we live now will determine our readiness for Jesus’ return in glory.
The reading from the book of Revelation presents a vision of that life which is to come upon Jesus’ return. In this new world suffering and sickness will cease to exist. Here all will drink the water of life and shall see God face to face. God will be all, in all, and for all.
On this eve of the new Church year, as we await the return of our Lord in glory, we pray: “Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!” give us steadfast faith, joyful hope and fervent love to sustain us on our pilgrim journey until you come in glory.
Alice Smith has been a part of Holy Family’s women’s retreat ministry for many years. She lives with her husband on Cape Cod.
Related articles
- One Last Swim (thepassionists.org)
- St. Andrew Dung-Loc and Companions (thepassionists.org)
- The Three Comings of the Lord (thepassionists.org)
New Years’ Eve is always a good time to look back as well as forward. That goes for the liturgical year as well as the civic calendar years. What celebrations have been graced moments? What consolation has come in worship together? What homilies led me to action that has borne good fruit?
Happy New Year, Father Paul! Our retreat together a few weeks ago was certainly a “graced moment,” for me. Our Saturday morning group met this morning and we reflected on the “blindness” we still encounter in our lives, as we had discussed during our retreat weekend. I pray you have a “graced” Advent. Peace!, -Tim