Meditation for the Day

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas, December 30

With the Grace and Help of the Holy Spirit, May We Never Cease Hoping in God’s Goodness, Never Cease Trusting in His Promises.

As we are about to come to the end of another year, our minds turn to those memories of times past, when life’s experiences have given us either happiness or sadness, success or failure, contentedness or regrets.

And as we reflect upon the past and hopefully wisdom gained, we also look to the future and think about possibilities and things yet to be. Many even make resolutions for the New Year. And yet, how many of these resolutions do we truly keep? Or do they one day become a memory of a desire never attained – another disappointment yet to be realized?

Our Gospel Reading today takes us on a journey – where we look at the past with an eye on the future. We read about how the prophetess Anna “…gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”

“Like Simeon, about whom we read in yesterday’s Gospel, Anna was a woman filled with great hope and expectation – that God would fulfill all His promises. The Gospel tells us that, “She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.”  Anna was a woman filled with the Holy Spirit, giving praise and glory to her God, all the while “…awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”

As she looked back on days and years long past, she did not see failure, unhappiness or regrets. Rather, she saw a promise that was made long ago, and, in that promise, she was filled with hope and expectation, for her life was devoted to God. And in that promise, she knew that God would never abandon His children – not then, not now, nor anytime in the future!

She was a woman filled with faith, and she lived that faith joyfully! As you and I advance in age, Anna becomes a model of righteousness to all believers, to all peoples who choose to embrace the gift of faith which we have been given.

As we grow older, we know only too well that the disappointments of life can easily leave us cynical and hopeless – if we do not keep our eyes rightly focused on the Love and Mercy which is God’s. Anna’s focus never left her God, for she never ceased to worship Him with an eager faith and to pray with an expectant and enduring hope.

In our First Reading today, John was not specifically alluding to the life of faith which Anna exhibited, but we can easily see how parts of today’s Reading could be attributed to her, “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him…But whoever does the will of God remains forever.”

In the life of faith which Anna lived, and in the hope which filled her heart – a light which never dimmed, a faith which never wavered – her confidence in God’s promises fueled her resolute zeal and spirited fervor in both prayer and service to God’s people.

As you and I reflect upon our past and look forward to our future, as you and I age and realize that, with each passing moment in time, we come that much closer to that awesome and most certain event when we shall be called to cross through the doorway into eternity, do we grow in fervent hope and a lively faith in the promises that God has made to us through His Son, Jesus?

Do we place our trust in the promises of Jesus Christ, relying not on our own strength, but on the grace and help of the Holy Spirit? Scripture tells us that as Jesus grew, He “…advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”

As you and I grow older, as we look to our own future, may we never forget our past and all that it has taught us through the grace of God. May we always live the present, for this moment in time is truly God’s gift to us, as we live it in His Love.

And with the grace and help of the Holy Spirit, as you and I take each step forward and journey into our own future – never ceasing to hope in God’s Goodness, never ceasing to trust in His promises – may each step of our journey be filled with wisdom.

And may God’s favor always rest upon each and every one of us! †

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Please Comment, Like and Share, and Suggest to your Facebook friends – to spread the message of God’s Merciful Love.

Por favor Comente, Le Gusta y Comparta, y Sugiera a tus amigos en Facebook – en difundir el mensaje del Misericordioso Amor de Dios.

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Scripture for the Day

• “She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” (Luke 2:37bc)
• “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him…But whoever does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:15, 17b)
• “Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
• “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• “The promises of the LORD are sure, silver refined in a crucible, silver purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:7)
• “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods!” (Psalm 40:4)
• “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
• “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (John 14:1)

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Prayer for the Day

“Lord, forgive us when we forget You
and, out of fear and lack of faith,
we fail to truly live our lives
embracing all that You have taught us.

“Forgive us for failing to truly trust
in the indescribable and profound Love
which You have for each of us, Your children.

“Teach us to let go of all that inhibits us,
so that we may begin to truly live
our relationship of love with You.

“For it is in You, and You alone,
where we shall find our greatest joy and fulfillment. Amen.”

Anonymous