1 John 2:18-21 / John 1:1-18
Every story has an ending. As we come to the last day of the year 2018, the story of this year has come to the last page and going on towards the last few words.
Whatever the story has been, for better or for worse, good times or bad, happy or sad, the story of 2018 is coming to an end.
Yes, every story has an end. But in life, every end is a new beginning. Because the story of life has endings and beginnings, and one is connected to another.
The 1st reading begins with these words "these are the last days". But the gospel begins with these words "In the beginning".
So it is like what the caterpillar calls an end, the world awaits for what it will call a butterfly.
We may have experienced distress and turmoil and as the year comes to an end, we may wonder what the new year brings.
But just as a butterfly is a sign of hope and new life, we look forward with hope and continue to believe in the Word-made-flesh who lives among us and who give us life and light.
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, and in Him are our endings and beginnings and it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.
So we give thanks for the 2018 story and we look forward with a joyful hope as we begin a new story for 2019.