Thought for the Day – 31 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Last Day of the Year
“The last day of the year has come.
It should be a day of reckoning and of resolution.
Think of the many benefits which God has conferred on you throughout your life but, especially in the year which is now drawing to a close.
Count the temporal favours which you have received.
Many of your friends and acquaintances have died during the year but, you are still alive!
God has rescued you from innumerable perils and illnesses.
He has allowed you more time in which to perfect your spiritual life and to perform pastoral work on your neighbour’s behalf.
Try not to be like the barren tree in the gospel because, this could be your final year of trial.
Count the spiritual blessings which you have received.
Think of the graces and good inspirations which God has given you during the past twelve months.
How often have you received forgiveness for your sins, been restored to the friendship of God and, experienced anew, the joy and peace of being in the state of grace?
How often has Jesus come into your heart under the guise of the Blessed Eucharist?
How often have you been enlightened ad ecouraged by hearing or reading the word of God?
Think, too, of the good example which you have received in private and in public and recall the many occasions, on which the helping hand of God has reached out to save you from falling into sin.
You could never show sufficient gratitude for all these favours.
Spend this day, at least, in acts of repentance and thanksgiving and, promise God, to be faithful to Him in the coming year.”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
If someone had told me I would feel the way I did now on this last night of the year, so at peace, utterly happy, my heart lit up by tiny fairy lights, I would not have thought it possible. But it has come to pass. And if I thought my heart is too full to accept any more hope and joy, here is your quote, bearing with it even more gifts of strength and wisdom.
Thank you, Ana. God be with you and yours as we all cross over…
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What wonderful news Caitlynne – as I think and pray for you each morning, my heart will now rejoice with you!
May you remain at peace in 2021 with your beautiful family! 🙏🙌💖
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