Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 21:34-36)
This is it. The end. The very last day.
This is the last day of the liturgical year.
Beginning with the vigil Mass this evening, we say goodbye to Year B and hello to Year C readings on Sunday and Cycle I readings on weekdays.
As we begin our new liturgical year, we are mindful that, just as our seasons and years come to an end, so will our own lives some day.
Since we are temporal people, we must be mindful of endings so that we can be prepared for new beginnings in the Lord.
The only way to be prepared for those new beginnings is to live in the newness of God’s life each and every day. If we do so, we will have the strength to escape the tribulations to come.
FAITH ACTION: As you live today, are your priorities your self or the needs of others?