Homily: December 31, 2012 - In the beginning was the Word...

Prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican council, mass would conclude with a reading from the prologue of Saint John’s Gospel , as we heard just proclaimed: “In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum...”, it was called the Last Gospel because it was part of the concluding rite of the Mass.  Well, it is the last Gospel of the year for us on this last day of the year 2012. 

December 31 is a retrospective day for many people.  A day to look back on the experiences of the year: to recall God’s blessings and interventions in our lives and to give thanks and to look forward that next year be better than the last. 

Our Holy Father has written, “It is our duty, as well as a need of our hearts, to praise and thank the Eternal One who accompanies us through time, never abandoning us, and who always watches over humanity with the fidelity of his merciful love.
In the Prologue of John’s Gospel we heard how the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us to enlighten the world and save us from the powers of darkness.  Three hundred sixty-five days this year Jesus has offered himself to us—in his teaching, in his Sacraments, most especially in the Eucharist.  The Word became flesh, and he made himself lovingly available to us.  And he will continue to do so until he comes again. 

2013 will begin, liturgically with the Feast of Mary, Mother of God in whose womb, the Word made his first humble dwelling.  Mary gave her blood and her body to nurture the Lord.  And we turn to her motherly intercession, that she may accompany us, and nurture us as we seek to conform ourselves to the Word of God.

This last year may be have been filled with joys and sorrows, times where we surrendered to grace, times when we rejected it.

This last day of 2012, we thank God for all he has achieved in us, and anticipate with open hearts what he still desires to achieve through us, with us, and in us this upcoming year. May we be more attentive and responsive to the needs of those around us.  And may we resolve this new year to be, like Mary, more open, more obedient, more humble to the Word of God for His glory and the salvation of souls.