I read today's eucharistic readings a few times but did not seem to receive any inspirations. Then my surgeon called and said my liver cancer had grown. After that, the words of the Scriptures "jumped off the page":

• God "is the God of the living, not of the dead" (Mk 12:27).
• "When people rise from the dead," they "live like angels in heaven" (Mk 12:25).
• Jesus "robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel" (2 Tm 1:10).

The more we are in touch with reality, the greater the light shining forth from the Bible. We see it when a mother has given birth or a family member dies. We see it when a person is in danger of death, or again when someone has been healed, or yet again when we marry or suffer divorce, or are in joy or pain, have lost or found a job, or have moved somewhere unfamiliar — then our consciousness of the circumstances of life is heightened. In such circumstances, God's word is even more obviously "living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12).

Jesus came to give us abundant life (Jn 10:10). Those who live abundantly see the light of the Scriptures in brilliant radiance. Accept Jesus as your Life (see Jn 14:6). Then He and His word will be your Light (see Jn 8:12).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert A. Stricker, December 13, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 2003