Today's Gospel Reading - December 31, 2011 with reflection

1st READING - 1John 2:18-21

P S A L M - Psalms 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

G O S P E L

 

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be 4 through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; 5 the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full  of grace and truth. 15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

 

my reflections

t h i n k : When we receive Jesus into our lives, we receive the light of the world, which casts out the darkness.

SABBATH

YEAR ENDER   Today is the last day of the year 2011. In less than 24 hours, we will bid goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012. If you are reading this reflection, then you are probably one of the many who do not want 2011 to pass by unnoticed and unreflected. They say there are two ways of seeing the year end. There are those who stay up to make sure the old year leaves. There are those who stay up until midnight to see the New Year come in. They say the first group are the pessimists, the second optimists. The first group ends and begins the year with regret and bitterness. The second group ends and begins the year with hope and positive attitude. To which do you belong? Choose to be an optimist. Your 2011 may not be perfect. Many things may have happened in 2011 that you would rather forget. An optimist does not try to forget 2011; he tries to transform it. An optimist cannot change the past, but he can change the way the past affects him. An optimist chooses to be a victor, not a victim. He chooses to see his mess as a message. He chooses to see his setbacks as opportunities to make a grand comeback. So what will it be for you for 2012? You have the power to choose.  Fr. Joel O. Jason   Reflection Question: I’ve shared this with you before: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” What are you doing now to create your future?   Lord Jesus, for all that has been, thanks! For all that will be, amen!   St. Melania, pray for us.