take out the garbage of 2021
“Children, it is the final hour.” —1 John 2:18
On this last day of the year, let us:
- take out all the garbage of the year 2021 and any other years,
- finish any unfinished business,
- repent and confess all our sins (see 1 Jn 1:9),
- forgive all who have sinned against us (see Mt 6:12),
- be reconciled with those who have something against us (see Mt 5:23ff),
- answer every calling from God, and
- obey all God’s commands (see 1 Jn 5:3).
Let’s not wait till next year to accept the graces of this year. We don’t want the baggage of past years to make it even more difficult to meet the challenges of next year.
When Jesus died, He said: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). Jesus gave glory to the Father by finishing the work the Father gave Him to do (Jn 17:4). St. Paul prayed: “I put no value on my life if only I can finish my race and complete the service to which I have been assigned by the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). “I am sure of this much: that He Who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6). The Lord finishes what He starts. Let Him finish up 2021 today.
Prayer: Father, cleanse the temple of my heart (see Lk 19:45).
Promise: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: the glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with enduring love.” —Jn 1:14
Praise: The First Ecumenical Council of the Church at Nicaea (in modern-day Turkey) occurred during the reign of Pope St. Sylvester. During his papacy, Christianity was legalized after the conversion of Constantine.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"
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.