We just read in today’s Good News: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
Who are these people sitting in darkness and the shadow of death? They are those who lived before the coming of Christ. The world was dark. Men did not know how to get home or even where the home was. CHRIST came like a great light, to pierce the darkness, and shine in the hearts of men. He was the Light. A few moments ago, we heard the prophecy: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” We prayed in the Responsorial Psalm; “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation.” In the Bible, Light is another word for God, as we will pray in the Nicene Creed shortly; “We believe in the one Lord, Jesus Christ the Only Son of God… God from God. Light from Light…”
To the crowd at that time He forgave Mary Magdalene, Jesus declared, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows me does not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12) The absolute need for light, both spiritual and physical is brought out repeatedly in both Old Testament and New Testament.
Light for the body is not nearly as necessary as the light for the soul. Christ not only brings this interior light but also He is the Light itself. How is Christ a Light for you and me right now? All the deep questions of life are brought out into the light by Jesus. What is true, what is false, what is good, what is evil? How can I be truly happy? In all history, the best answers, in fact, the only answers have been given by the Light of the world --- Jesus Christ.
Who of us does not have a problem in health, finance, personality, injustice, loneliness, ingratitude and love unreturned? In the bright light of what Jesus said and did, we see our way through these perplexing problems. Truly, we who follow Him do not walk in darkness, but in the light.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, that light is renewed and rekindled here on this altar. May we renew our love for the light of the world --- Jesus Christ! God Bless You!
#9. A MESSAGE FROM ST. JOE ON A ‘LIGHT THAT BRINGS US HOME’. Once there were two boys in the grade school. Johnny was in the third grade and Jimmy was in the second. Their families lived about a mile apart out in the country. Often they played together after school. One afternoon they played later than usual. It was already getting dark and a storm was blowing up. Suddenly it began to rain, to thunder and lightning. There was no one to take Johnny home. He stood shivering on the porch, afraid to start out alone. Then a LIGHT appeared down the road. It turned into the farm where Johnny was. His big brother Bill with a flashlight and their dog Rex had come to fetch Johnny home.
January 22 is the Sunday devoted for the Word of God. On the 23rd, we have the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. This is also the optional memorial Ss. Vincent, Deacon, Martyr and patron of wine-producers; Marianne Cope, Virgin and caregiver of the lepers in the Island of Molokai. The 24th is the feast of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church and co-founder with St. Jane Frances de Chantal of the Visitation Order. He is also the patron of writers, journalists and the deaf. On the 25th, we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul, The Apostle to the Gentiles. On the 26th, we have the memorial of Ss. Timothy and Titus, Bishops and Companions of St. Paul in his missionary works. On the 27th, we have the optional memorial of St. Angela Merici, Virgin and foundress of the Ursuline Order. On the 28th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor of the Church, and also called the “Angelic Doctor” who wrote the ‘Summa Theologica. He is patron of Catholic Schools, colleges and universities, of philosophers, theologians and booksellers. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin. God Bless!
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie
