+ We come now to the last Mass in the Liturgical
Calendar year 2015. It has been a year of grace, a year of
worship, a year of service. If we have experienced it correctly there has been
an ebb and flow, an increase and a decrease, a period of joy followed by a
period of sorrow: for this is how faith is tested and strengthened, this is how
worship gets its flavor, this is how we get to see grace at work: God breaking into our lives, doing for us
what we cannot do for ourselves.
The
first reading today sums it all up by reminding us that all
things, all kingdoms and all nations are in the end subject to the one true Lord
and King – Jesus Christ: but that he
is a compassionate monarch, a loving king, a doting brother who looks out for
his family members: who comprise any who want to belong.
The
gospel passage punctuates the whole years’ complement of
scripture readings by telling us to be
constantly vigilant, as the Jesus we have heard about in the scripture
readings this year will come again at any
time to reward everyone with what their deeds deserve: may we be among the
ones deserving of eternal favor, life and bliss – as we contemplate with all
the saints and angels the face of God his Father – the true source of light,
warmth, happiness, knowledge, love and peace!
Give glory and eternal praise
to God!
Today, November 27,
is also the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. We recall it, and celebrate it today as
members of its Association. On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary
appeared to St. Catherine Laboure, a novice in the Daughters of Charity is
Paris, France, and gave her a vision of an image, with instructions to strike the
image, front and back, on a medal. With this medal, Our Lady promised, “All
those who wear it will receive great graces; these graces will be abundant for
those who wear it with faith.” The “Miraculous Medal” as it was called, was an
image of Our Lady with hands extended with graces pouring from her hands. The
medal spread far and wide and became a source of many graces to its wearers. It
is traditionally worn around the neck and has become a loved a treasured
sacramental of the Catholic Church. Our Lady under this title is known as Our
Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
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