While reflecting on today’s readings, I was drawn to the theme of light.
The Collect before the Gospel reads:
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (MT 5:16)
Our goal in life then is clear: see, sow, and do good.
The Light of The World
One thing we should be crystal clear on is that we are precisely not the light of the world.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 3b-5
The origin of Light is God Almighty. In Genesis, during the story of Creation, recall how darkness hovered over the abyss and at God’s word, there was light! Precisely the first thing God created was light, way before He created the Sun, Moon, and the stars. Gazing up at the heavens on a starry night should remind us that we too are luminaries with no illumination radiating from within, but rather, we’re reflecting light from a greater Light – none other than the King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Light from Light, Our Light.
Hear again the words from St. John the Evangelist:
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Our mission in life then is simply this: to magnify the great light that is Christ.
Nothing Hidden, Nothing Secret
If there are any skeletons in our closet, it’s time to do some spring cleaning.
We should promptly get on our hands and knees and scrub our soul till it’s clean. Actually, no point, that won’t work. We can’t wash off the stain of our sins that are as red as crimson and scarlet. But He can. The Omnipotent Lord who is the Source, Origin and Sustainer of Everything and who was born in order to die in order to redeem us from our sins will do this if we let Him.
In the words of the Servant of God, John Hardon s.j. (1914-2000), “though we were conceived maculate, we should strive to die immaculate.” And he urges you and me to turn to the Immaculate Virgin Mary as our model for loving Jesus and others.
Source: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Mariology/Mariology_010.htm
No need for embarrassment. God already knows the exact particulars of our hidden secrets, but He waits patiently, so patiently, for you and me to turn back to Him.
Coming to the Light
Brothers and Sisters, if there is any darkness in us, we must turn while there is still time.
The world as we know it is passing away. And we don’t know the day or the hour.
God’s promise is certain. If we walk blamelessly, strive for justice and truth, and live a life of holiness, then we, like the just, shall live on the holy mountain of the Lord! So let us walk in the light and towards the light, today and always.
