Today, on the last day of the Church's year, the Church proclaims to us the last chapter of the Bible. The Bible begins in an earthly paradise and ends in a heavenly paradise. The heavenly paradise is not only the restoration of the earthly paradise, but its fulfillment.
The heavenly paradise has a river of life-giving water flowing down the middle of its streets (Rv 22:1-2). On both sides of the river grow fruit-bearing trees of life (Rv 22:2). In the heavenly paradise, there are twelve growing seasons each year (Rv 22:2). There is no sin in heaven, for there God's servants faithfully serve Him (Rv 22:3). In heaven, we will see God face to face (Rv 22:4; 1 Cor 13:12). There, all light comes directly from the Lord, not from electricity or the sun (Rv 22:5). In heaven, we will reign forever (Rv 22:5). This all may sound too good to be true, but the Lord assures us through one of His angels: "These words are trustworthy and true" (Rv 22:6).
The Lord wants to end this Church year the way He started it — by telling us He loves us. He intends to show this love by giving us the perfect happiness of heaven. Let the Lord love you.
| PRAYER: | Father, on this last day of the Church year, may I repent of all my sins and thus remove all obstacles to receiving Your love. |
| PROMISE: | "Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man." –Lk 21:36 |
| PRAISE: | When praying with others, Kate just asks the Holy Spirit to let the words flow and others are amazed at how her prayer was specifically worded for their need. |
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