At Year's End...

These are the waning hours of the liturgical year. When sun sets this evening, another cycle of feasts, fasts, and ferias will be over, while a new one begins. To mark this “unremarkable” moment in the calendar, perhaps a quotation from St. Thomas Aquinas (commemorated January 28) would be in order. It is from a commentary he wrote on the Nicene Creed, and points us to the “end of all our desires,” as does the conclusion of the Church year:

It is fitting that the end of our all our desires, namely eternal life, coincides with the words at the end of the creed: “Life everlasting. Amen.”

The first point about eternal life is that humanity is united with God. For God himself is the reward and end of all our labors: “I am your protector and your supreme reward.” This union consists in seeing God perfectly: “At present we are looking at a confused reflection in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face.”

Next it consists in perfect praise, according to the words of the prophet: “Joy and happiness will be found in it, thanksgiving and words of praise.”

It also consists in complete satisfaction of desire, for there the blessed will be given more than they wanted or hoped for. The reason is that in this life no one can fulfill their longings, nor can any creature satisfy human desire. Only God satisfies, he infinitely exceeds all other pleasures. That is why we can rest in nothing but God. As Augustine says: “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

May the year now ending be counted as a sacred offering to you, O Lord. May the Holy Season of Advent be time when we learn anew that nothing but you will satisfy our deepest desires. May the year to come be one of growing in your knowledge and love! Amen.