Feast of Pope Saint Sylvester I

Good morning. Today is the Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas and the final day of Our Lord 2010. In reading the scripture readings for this morning I thought back to when I was a lad and recalled how my mother, in response to something one of us kids had done, would suggest sending one of us kids to Kingdom Come.  The readings for this morning all offer some thoughts regarding the coming of the Lord’s Kingdom.  The first reading from the first letter of John (1 Jn 2:18-21) reminds us that we must let go of the lies that are alien from the way of God, to avoid those things that detract us from living the way God intends us to live.  Some of those lies are likely obvious, and others are perhaps not so obvious.  Some might involve the various events that come our way during the course of our life and the manner in which we respond to those events.  How appropriate it is that we have these particular readings this morning as we reflect upon the year past and prepare to cross over into 2011.  There are likely for each one of us things which occurred during the course of this past year that have proven to be difficult and joyful events as well. Hopefully each event gave us reason to pause and consider how wonderful our lives truly are and that we appreciate everything God has given us.  I certainly know such things have occurred in my life and I pray daily to accept them in a manner that has meaning and that glorifies our Lord. This can sometimes be a struggle amongst the secular world messages that reduce life’s struggles to absurdity and meaninglessness.  Yet, the readings from this morning remind us that a life lived in accord with the Truth can be liberating.  There will in all likeliness be events in all of our lives in this coming New Year that will be joyful, and there will likely be events that will be a struggle. It is my prayer this day that we all may offer comfort and understanding for each other throughout the coming New Year and that our lives may be reflective of the truth offered in Christ Jesus and that we may all come to be appreciative of those things we have.  Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life and works of Pope Saint Sylvester I.