This is the Liturgy of the Hours for December 31. Your local date is .
“To modern men and women, often dissatisfied with a shallow and ephemeral existence, and in search of authentic happiness and love, Christ offers his own example and issues the invitation to follow Him.He asks those who hear his voice to give their lives for others. This sacrifice is a source of self-fulfillment and joy, as is seen in the eloquent example of those men and women who, leaving all security behind, have not hesitated to risk their lives as missionaries in different parts of the world. It can also be seen in the response of those young people who, prompted by faith, have embraced a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life in order to serve God’s plan of salvation.” —John Paul II, Holy Father’s Message for Lent, 2003[1]
Pope Francis recently decreed that his predecessors, John XXIII and John Paul II, will be raised to Sainthood today. A day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy.
That the holiness of both John XXIII and John Paul II should be simultaneously recognized with their canonizations brings back the newness of the initial desire to link the lived tradition of the Church with the changed and changing circumstances of a rapidly globalizing world.
John XXIII boldly opened a window for the Church to see the world with hope. He started the revision of the Church’s law and on January 25, 1983, 24 years to the day after Pope John XXIII’s announcement of the revision, Pope John Paul II promulgated the revised Code of Canon Law, bringing completion to the project.
John Paul II bravely carried this hope as a relentless pilgrim. The pope spoke a message to the world, intended as well for the uncertain disciple, “Do not be afraid!” These were not just the words of the pope. It was the echo of Jesus stirring up the hearts of the disciples to leave behind their fears and cast their nets anew into uncertain waters.
Recently, Pope Francis reminded the assembled bishops, priests, religious and seminarians gathered in Rio de Janeiro, “It is not enough simply to open the door in welcome because they come, but we must go out through that door to seek and meet the people!” This can only happen if our hearts are refreshed with the ancient and ever new command, “Do not be afraid!” [2]
Source:
[1] USCCB book: John Paul II: A Light for the World, http://www.usccb.org/
[2] Excerpt from “Remembering the man who told the modern world: ‘Do not be Afraid’” by Bishop Jaime Soto, http://usccbmedia.blogspot.ro