We conclude the liturgical year with a sense of triumph and victory, having proclaimed Christ our king last Sunday and with a sense of gratitude, having celebrated Thanksgiving last Thursday. Today the Word of God points out to the end of times as we begin a new church year. I wonder why do we stress the end at the beginning of the year! I presume that every end is followed by a beginning, which is the end of what is just passed. Life on earth moves between the framework of beginning and ends, and between these two boundaries, we are in a dynamic process of combining our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. Every life begins and ends, every day begins and ends, every failure has and end, and so is joy, pain, and suffering.