On this last day of the secular year, we can tie up the loose ends of our year and be able to say what Jesus said moments before His death: "It is finished" (Jn 19:30). The Lord promised He would bring to completion every good work which He has begun (Phil 1:6). Consequently, there's no need for us to be half-done, half-repentant, half-healed, or half-reconciled. We don't even have to be almost done. We can be finished. We don't have to carry a backlog of things into the new year. A new year in which we're trying to fulfill old responsibilities is not much of a new year.
Therefore, we should repent of every sin, forgive all who have hurt us, share our faith with all those the Lord has put into our lives, obey every command, answer every call, and do every work. Some of you may have more than a couple of things left to do. Some may even have a backlog of several years. There seems to be no way you'll ever catch up. Cast all your cares on Jesus (1 Pt 5:7). He cares for you and will do the impossible. He will be your Lord, bring order into your life, and give you a truly new year.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, save me from being overwhelmed by the demands of life and by confusion. |
| PROMISE: | "In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God." –Jn 1:1 |
| PRAISE: | Pope St. Sylvester was instrumental in tying up all our beliefs by being part of those who wrote the Nicene Creed. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College