black light
"If your light is darkness, how deep will the darkness be!" —Matthew 6:23
Have you ever been in a room illuminated only by a black light? Such a room is very dimly lit. Everything that's white shows up, such as teeth and white socks. Dark objects are barely visible. It's difficult to see how things interrelate. Picture the same room with the black light replaced by a hundred-watt bulb. Now that the room is brightly lit, it's easy to see and understand the proper relationship of all objects in the room.
Jesus describes a similar situation in today's Gospel. In modern society, we are bombarded with the values of a secular humanistic culture which disregards God. If we allow our minds and consciences to be formed by such ungodly input, then our "light is darkness," in fact, a "deep" darkness (Mt 6:23). Like the person in black light, everything that is true can be seen, but not properly recognized. For example, it's a simple biological truth that abortion is murder. Yet to one whose light is darkness, this fact might be evident but not interrelated to the truth that all human life is sacred. One can't see clearly in the black light; the "light is darkness."
What programs do you watch? What do you listen to? Would Jesus say your eyes are good or bad? (Mt 6:22-23) Repent of focusing on the world's input. Instead, read Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Be immersed in Jesus, for He has called us "from darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pt 2:9).
Prayer: Jesus, may I never prefer the darkness to You (Jn 3:19; 8:12). Help me to follow You always and be in the light (Jn 8:12).
Promise: "Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame." —Ps 34:6
Praise: During a period of spiritual dryness, St. Romuald was praying Psalm 32 and read the following verse: "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you" (Ps 32:8). With that, God gave him a deep understanding of His love.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 2014
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