on the light side
"Rise up in splendor! Your light has come." —Isaiah 60:1
Alleluia! Today is the highlight of the Christmas season. Jesus, the Light of the world (Jn 8:12) and the bright Morning Star (Rv 22:16), has conquered the darkness. The Lord conquered the darkness by creating light at the beginning of creation (Gn 1:2-3). Through His Incarnation and our re-creation, the Lord has also triumphed over the darkness of sin and death.
We can share in the victory of Jesus the Light by doing what the wise men and women of all times have done — by coming into Jesus the Light, prostrating ourselves before Him, and giving Him our gifts, that is, our whole lives (Mt 2:11). When we by faith decide to love the Lord with all our hearts, all our souls, all our strength, and all our minds (Lk 10:27), we walk in the light (1 Jn 1:7), become "the light of the world" (Mt 5:14), and even become "light in the Lord" and "children of light" (Eph 5:8). With and in Jesus, we shine "on in darkness, a darkness" that will not overcome us (Jn 1:5).
Love the Light. Love God, Who is Light (1 Jn 1:5). Love Jesus. Be light. Happy Epiphany! Alleluia!
Prayer: Father, may I "possess the light of life" (Jn 8:12).
Promise: "In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews, members of the same body and sharers of the promise through the preaching of the gospel." —Eph 3:6
Praise: "He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit; seen by the angels; preached among the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up into glory" (1 Tm 3:16).
Reference: (The theme of "light" comes again at the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus, February 2. Order our tape on Purification/Presentation & Illumination on audio AV 89-1 or video V-89.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012
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