In our part of the world, January is just plain gloomy. Our son and his family returned after 10 years in Atlanta, and as much as he loves being with family, he does not like these grey days of winter. Here in the midst of what the Church calls Ordinary Time, we struggle with these cold, grey days and look for something – anything – that brings us light. I wonder how often we look for light in others to brighten our days or how often other people look for the powerful light of Christ in us.
Most of us are very aware we are ordinary people. We are not apt to perform extraordinary acts of heroism or service to others. We struggle to manage the day-to-day challenges we face and if we are asked to help someone else, we do our best to do our part. But how often do we think of bringing light to others?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world”. He calls us to our true identity, to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. God has chosen us to be the light that the world needs. Who knows why God has chosen any of us? But it’s a fact: we’re the ones God wants to be light to the world. The question we all have is, “How are we to do this?”
It is not just the lack of sunlight that makes us tired and overwhelmed when we try to be the light of the world, it is fear. We are overshadowed by darkness and the shadow of death. It might be easier to assume that it’s only other people who are in darkness, rather than accept that we ourselves are also covered by darkness. How are we supposed to bring God’s light to others when we have no light in our own hearts?
The best place to start is always with our personal prayer life. We increase our own connection with the Source of all light through our personal relationship with God. And that is best done in quiet contemplation and prayer. Once we center ourselves in God, we are then empowered to do deeds of light, and we are able to bring light to others and to ourselves as well.
In the creation story, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. We were given the gift, yet we are still living in darkness. God is continually inviting us to renew creation by being the light for our world. When we live by these words, we help to recreate the universe. Light breaks forth in the darkness. Our wounds are healed, and the power and compassion of God shine through us. So during this “ordinary” time let us find ways to shed light in extraordinary ways − both for yourself and for others.
Mrs. Kathy England, Pastoral Associate