It is 31st December 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St. Silvester I, Pope and Martyr. The readings are from 1 John 2:18-21 and the Gospel from John 1:1-18.
Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him. He ran and got hold a tree branch and sat there. When he looked at his side of the branch which he was holding, two rats white and black in colour were chewing them and making it weak. He looked down, just under the branch a black snake kept its mouth opened waiting to swallow him. Out of frustration and fear, he looked for another branch to hold and there he found a honeycomb dripping with honey. He started tasting the drops of honey forgetting the lion, the rats, the snake. He woke up. He went to a scholar to get the meaning of the dream. He explained that the lion he saw was his death that chases after him, the rats he saw are the day and night eating up day after day to bring him closer to death, the snake is the covid-19 waiting to fall into it and the honey drops are the Providence of God, mercifully immeasurable grace, and blessings he has received all through this most challenging of the year.
Yes, we have so much to thankful for even though the year 2020 is the most challenging year of our lifetime and in our memory lane. Jesus, the Word of God was with us all throughout the year. We have made through the year and our future is in the hands of Jesus.
The Incarnation is experienced in that finest moment when the Revelation of God is honoured by our honest response. Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, and the Shepherds responded well and received it openly. How have we responded to the Revelation of God revealed in the Incarnation so tangibly? “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” (Jn.1:12). More we be become grateful of the Providence of God we have experienced all through this most challenging year of our lifetime, even more we become grateful indeed.
That is why St. John boldly tells, “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (Jn.1:16). Jesus alone can bring all blessings and grace in our lives. May we spend an hour with the Lord wherever we may be today as a family. We may not have access to a Church, but we have the access to God through our prayer all through this day. Let us not end this year without thanking God and be sorry for those moments we have taken God’s Providence, loving relationships, and golden opportunities for granted. May the Lord kindly bless each one of us and especially our families with all the blessings. Lord be with us as we are eagerly and enthusiastically waiting to face the New Year in the eve. Have a lovely day. God bless you.