the end
“Children, it is the final hour.” —1 John 2:18
On this last day of the year, you may look back on 2020 and see that many antichrists have appeared (1 Jn 2:18). It may have been a very difficult year. However, tough years need not be bad years. Even the most “impossible” year can be good. Even the most sinful year can be turned to the good by repentance, forgiveness, and total commitment to Jesus. “All’s well that ends well.” End this year by accepting God’s grace.
Even if you have endured such a year as Job had, you have so much for which to be thankful. No suffering or tragedy should overshadow the “love following upon love” (Jn 1:16) that God pours out over you. “Of His fullness we have all had a share” (Jn 1:16). The Lord has again “crowned the year” with His bounty (Ps 65:12). “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just” (introduction to the Preface at Mass).
“Give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20). “Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness” (Col 3:15). “Let the last word be, He is all in all! Let us praise Him the more, since we cannot fathom Him, for greater is He than all His works” (Sir 43:28-29).
Thank You, Jesus, for 2020. I love You with all my heart.
Prayer: Father, may I realize that You don’t owe me anything and I owe You everything, even every moment of my life.
Promise: “In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God.” —Jn 1:1
Praise: In 330 AD, Emperor Constantine moved his capital city from Rome to Constantinople. Constantine gave his Lateran palace to Pope St. Sylvester. Sylvester transformed it into the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Reference: In 330 AD, Emperor Constantine moved his capital city from Rome to Constantinople. Constantine gave his Lateran palace to Pope St. Sylvester. Sylvester transformed it into the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.