1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18

1 John 2:18-21

My Beloved, it is most fitting that we end this year with this solemn reminder that it is the last hour.  It will do us all well to remember this at the beginning of each new day then we will live every moment aware that we must continue to  work as long as it is day.

John was an old man when he wrote this letter and in it he warns that the antichrist would come - in fact he says many have already come.  Who is the antichrist? Anyone who does not walk in the the Light of Truth revealed in You, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, is the antichrist.  John says that these antichrists have gone out from among them and this is how we know that it is the last hour. We too have many antichrists who have gone out from among us.

My Beloved, it has been the last hour ever since You came into the world.We are in the age of the Kingdom of God and each one of us is called to bring it about in our hearts and in our lives only then will it become visible in the world. Everyone who causes division, any one who fragments the Body of Christ, as long as there are those who work against unity, such a person is the antichrist.

Verses 20-21 remind us that as God's anointed we have received  the Holy Spirit and true wisdom and so we walk in Truth.

(But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so that all of you have true wisdom.

 I write to you, not because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you already know it, and lies have nothing in common with the truth.) 

Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13

My Beloved, we are invited by the psalmist to sing new song everyday.  Our whole lives must be spent in praise of the One true God, the Creator, the Savior and the Sanctifier.

The whole of creation gives You exultant praise in just being what You intended each to be. The stars, sun, moon, the heavens, the oceans and all that lives in it. The birds of the air, the animals, the mountains, rivers and valley and above all man the marvel that God created in His image and likeness; must live, breathe and move in praise of God who has not only created us in love, for love but for a glorious, eternal destiny which is to remain one in love with Love eternally.

John 1:1-18

Berashith - In the beginning was God and with God was the Word which was with God and in God from the eternal berashith.  Through His Eternal and only Word uttered in love, all that is, was and ever shall be was loved into existence. There is nothing known or unknown that came to be that He did not cause to be.  In the Word dwelt the fullness of Life and all that received life received it from Him who is Life - this Word of God is Love and Life and from it emanates Light which dispels darkness.  This Light is the Light of Truth.  

The brilliance of the  Word of Love, Light and Truth enables those who walk with the Word to walk in the Light which darkness has tried in vain to put out.  Where there is the Light of God there is no fear. The children of the Light are in God and walk with God for they are one with the Word who is One with God.

Before the Word pierced time and rent it God sent a witness to prepare the Way so we would be awake when He came and revealed Himself so we could receive Him and welcome Him.

The Love of God, the Light of God, the Life of God, the Truth of God and  the Word of God was already in the world which came into existence when God uttered His single, solitary Word and all creation exploded into being.  The same Word that man refused to acknowledge and receive.

But thanks be to God - all who did have become the children of God and in believing are empowered by His Word, His Life, His Love, His Light, His Truth; for to each is given the fullness of His own Spirit.

In Him we too are born of God through water and the Holy Spirit.

Today as an old year comes to a close and a new one is about to dawn we recall how the Invisible became Visible clothed in human flesh and made His home with us.  Those who walked with Him in time witnessed His glory at several intervals in their lives so we might believe their testimony and believing might also receive the fullness of His Truth and loving kindness.

In Him God has been pleased to give us grace upon grace and favor upon favor for we have believed in the One He sent, His Son, the Beloved in whom God became Man so we could see Him, touch Him, listen to Him and now even eat Him and so become truly one with Him and through Him with the Father.  There is nothing more to desire for in Him every desire and longing of the heart is satisfied.