Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us. (1 Jn 2:18-19a)
We are at the last hours of the calendar year. Soon, 2015 will be a memory as we step into a new year – 2016.
New years give us new opportunities. We can say that our faults, our failings, belong to the past and we can look to the new year with expectant hope. But we can only do so if we plan for it.
Without planning, we are bound to repeat the failures of the past. With planning, we can make things better.
If you found it hard to live your faith this year, ask yourself what you can do to be a witness to the Lord. If you found it hard to be charitable to others, make a resolution to find something good in all people. If you have strayed from the celebration of your faith, resolve to go to Mass on a more regular basis. If your relationship with the Lord is not where you would want it to be, plan regular time each day to pray or meditate or do spiritual reading.
There are things that each and every one of us can do in order to improve our relationship with God.
Do not be misled by those who proclaim a different message, who tell you that it is not important to make time for the Lord. Do not become a part of their number.
Rather, remain faithful to God.
FAITH ACTION: Today is the day. Make some spiritual resolutions for yourself for 2016 so that you can grow closer to the Lord.