Today is the last day of the Church year, and the Church calls us to read the last chapter of the Bible, which gives us a picture of heaven. We see "the river of life-giving water, clear as crystal, which issued from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowed down the middle of the streets" (Rv 22:1-2). We see "the trees of life which produce fruit twelve times a year, once each month" (Rv 22:2). Best of all, we see Jesus "face to face" (Rv 22:4). We definitely have "a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11).

The Bible's last chapter will be fulfilled very soon because the Lord is coming very soon (Rv 22:7). To be prepared for His final coming and to inherit the kingdom of heaven, we must:

1. bear Jesus' name on our foreheads (Rv 22:4). This means that we have totally, publicly, and permanently committed our lives to Jesus,
2. "be on guard" lest our "spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Lk 21:34), and
3. "pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36).

On the last day of the Church year, let's surrender our lives to Jesus, repent of our sins, forgive those who have hurt us, and be ready to meet Jesus and go to heaven at any moment.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 1, 2008

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