Today is the last day of the Church year, and the Church calls us to read the last chapter of the Bible, which gives us a picture of heaven. We see "the river of life-giving water, clear as crystal, which issued from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowed down the middle of the streets" (Rv 22:1-2). We see "the trees of life which produce fruit twelve times a year, once each month" (Rv 22:2). Best of all, we see Jesus "face to face" (Rv 22:4). We definitely have "a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11).
The Bible's last chapter will be fulfilled very soon because the Lord is coming very soon (Rv 22:7). To be prepared for His final coming and to inherit the kingdom of heaven, we must:
On the last day of the Church year, let's surrender our lives to Jesus, repent of our sins, forgive those who have hurt us, and be ready to meet Jesus and go to heaven at any moment.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I finish today all that You called me to do in 2008. |
| PROMISE: | "Happy the man who heeds the prophetic message of this book!" –Rv 22:7 |
| PRAISE: | Roberta prepares for Advent by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation and making new-year spiritual resolutions. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College