7th Day within Christmas Octave : Friday 31st December 2021

It is so easy to be complacent about belonging to Christ and glory in the satisfaction of crowded churches. Just before the civil war in Spain, the churches were crowded, but a week later, many of the same crowds were burning them down. When crisis comes, those who never really belonged to Christ will show up. John speaks of such people as Anti-Christs, and the fact that they were so active in his community convinced him that it must be the last hour.

The moment of the final hour has still not come. And yet, every hour is the last hour because we are shaping our destiny in every decision. For Christ or against Him; growing in the life and light of Christ or heading towards darkness, sin and death.

Before Vatican II, the opening chapter of John’s Gospel concluded the Mass. Christians left the Eucharistic celebration with this great hymn ringing in their ears. It is a perfect summary of what might be called the Christian worldview: Jesus was the centre of the universe with God before time began. To see the world in this light is to share in the life and light of God Himself, and it is through Jesus that we can do this.

Lord, You are the centre of my life.