It is 30th December 2019. The readings are from 1 John 2:12-17 and the Gospel from Luke 2:36-40. Socrates, a philosopher once said: “An unexamined life is not worth living.” We are about to wind up a year in a day. It is time to have a review of our life and jot down the areas of growth to have fruitful resolutions for the year to be dawned. For us believers, examination of conscience has become a routine or a ritual than a deep evaluation and surrender to the Lord. In that perspective, our failures must not distant ourselves from God. A journey without its perils is unimaginable. A career without update is boxed out. A soul without confession hardens life without mercy. Our life without regular assessment become unproductive and complacent. We must not be afraid to examine our actions and thoughts and its consequential impact on our life and the rest of the world. Inner change becomes nearly impossible if we are not genuinely looking into our intentions of the actions we performed or left out. It is not about how we fit into the expectations of the society rather to value our life as a gift from God and willing to live the fullest. Self-examination is therapeutic, and self-healing. The first reading reminds us to live a life faithful to God and beware of the obstacles that make our life less fruitful. Discerning and doing the will of God is the goal of our life. God alone offers what the soul is in search of all through our life. “For all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches — comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1Jn.2:16). The world according to St. John is that alienates from God, against God and leading people away from God. The craving comfort with lust in us never settles down. It grows and spreads all our being day by day if we are not serious doing the will of God. Lust or greed for power, ambition, position, cheap popularity has become the norm of the day in most of us that leads us to be dishonest, casually lying, and become violent in words and actions. As we are reviewing our life, let us look at our individualism, selfishness, and self-centeredness, and addictive consumerism and materialism. Only by the self-evaluation, we grow up and become matured. The responsorial Psalm praises, “Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.” (Ps.95:11). But our Gospel today invites us to imbibe the spirit of Anna who never gave in to self-pity even at the age of 84. She spent quality time working for God and discerning the ways of God. “she never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.” (Lk.2:37). We become a powerful witness when we live a life of prayer and contemplation. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Mt. 6:33). May the review of our life lead us not to condemn us and depart from the truth rather to come closer to God. May you have a good day. God bless you.