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.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 30, 2007

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