Light

Today’s epistle and long Gospel (Eph. 5:8-14 & Jn. 9:1-41) overflow with glittering gems, many of them using the metaphor of light, provoking important questions for our lives.

You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.

Do we still give in despair and forget Christ's all-powerful gift of hope?

Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.

Do we shine with the light of Christ in everything we say and do?

Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them,
for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret.

Are we still doing things we should be ashamed of?
Do we silently facilitate evil?

Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God
might be made visible through him.

When bad things happen, do we just look for someone to blame?
Or do we look in them for opportunities to do the work of God?

We have to do the works of the one who sent me
while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.

Do we put off doing what God wants us to do NOW?

While I am in the world,
I am the light of the world.

Do we make decisions based on conventional wisdom or on the truth of Christ?

I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.
If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, 'We see,'
so your sin remains.

Are we blinded by our own pride?
Are we afraid to make ourselves vulnerable to the mercy of God?

Let there be light!

(Deus, propitius esto mihi peccatori.)