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January 26, 2014The Gospel identifies Jesus as the "great light" that Isaiah the prophet foresaw as bringing hope to those who live in darkness and gloom. Jesus is the great light of God's truth and love. Did he not bring light to all he met during his public ministry? When he forgave sinners, healed the infirm, affirmed the dignity of those bowed down, and comforted those heavily burdened, he brought the light of God's love into their lives.
Matthew 4 also notes that he called disciples to accompany him as he fulfilled the mission given him by the Father. Peter, Andrew, James and John and so many others were eventually tasked with continuing the mission, to bring light wherever there was darkness. Is that not the call of each of us who follow Jesus? Are we not to be bearers of Christ's light in our homes, churches, schools, neighborhoods, workplaces and beyond?
I am so grateful that the light of God's love is shining brightly through so many lives. Many of us saw that light when, during the power outage of late December, neighbors, family members and parishioners stepped forward to offer assistance. Many encountered that light when St. Vincent de Paul workers brought them food at Thanksgiving and Christmas and when so many parishioners pitched in to cook and serve the holiday Community Dinners. So many encountered the light of God's love while attending Mass at Christmas and throughout the holiday season knowing that scores of people had given their heart and soul to preparing the Church and the liturgies so that all members and visitors could prayerfully encounter the Lord whose birth we were celebrating.
How can you and I bring the light of God's love into the circumstances of our lives this week? Where there is despair, gloom, pain, and disappointment, can we bring hope and let the light of God's love shine through us? Let?s dedicate ourselves to being people of the light. Darkness can never be victorious where the light of Christ shines. Let's be that light.
Fr. John Klein, Pastor