Today is Friday on the first week of Advent. USA Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror. We can see Christmas off in the distance, but coming up fast. Wow!
For me, one of the secular highlights of the Christmas season is the lights. The displays and colors add a new found beauty (usually) to yards, businesses and homes. Evening lights in the distance offer “landscapes” and perspectives that are not seen during the remainder of the year. The readings of today focus on light, and seeing.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation” says the Psalmist today. With His light, “we have nothing to fear, we will be able to see Heaven, and we will be able to see the Bounty He has created here in the land of the living”. That is certainly a powerful light to change perspectives.
With the light, also comes sight, for most of us. I am blessed to have the use of both eyes, although one of them needed an overhaul last year. There are several places in the Bible where blind people are cured—each with a twist and a lesson—and news gets around of the sight bringing miracles. (John 9:1-40, for instance)
In the Gospel today, two nameless men begin with total blindness. Total darkness. By Divine Providence, these two men were in the right place at the right time. Jesus walks buy, they ask for help, and with Jesus, and their faith in Him, the gain full eyesight. Total light. Jesus tells them to keep the miracle quiet, but that doesn’t happen. They went out and spread the light of Jesus all across the land, by telling their story, and we still hear it (read it) today. I wish their names were recorded.
The two guys with newly opened eyes, in their first major activity, disobey a direct order from Jesus. Not to go against Jesus on purpose, but to spread their joy and new found beliefs. I don’t have theological backup, but I suspect that Jesus was ok with their evangelization. We’re all supposed to go forth and spread the good news to all the world, right? Let our light shine, and not hide it under a basket, as the Bible says. In their homes and neighborhoods, everyone would know of the miracle, so it was no longer a secret that could be hidden. Miracles are hard to keep quiet, especially when they are so obvious.
As we move towards Christmas, let’s never forget that He is the light of the world. As a Faith in Action project, see if you can become a light of your corner of the world. With the chaos, angst, mayhem, distrust, and uncertainty in our world today, a quick smile, a “Hi There” to a stranger, a wave and small/random acts of kindness can do small miracles and wonders in our everyday lives. People will see your light, and perhaps reflect it back. Use your sight to see folks who may need help or some “good cheer”. The Christmas lights can come down after Epiphany, but keep your light shining all year. Why not?
P.S. Not sure if this is a cross cultural item, but how many of you have baby Jesus in the manger before Christmas? We try to put Him in the manger on Christmas Day.
