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 how the objects in the room relate to one another.

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, a “generation which has gone astray” (Acts 2:40). If we allow our minds and consciences to be formed by such ungodly input, then we live in a deep darkness (see Mt 6:23). Like the person in black light, everything true can be seen, but not properly recognized. One can’t see clearly in the black light; the “light is darkness” (Mt 6:23). Scripture foretold this: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness into light, and light into darkness” (Is 5:20).

What programs do you watch? What do you listen to? “The eye is the body’s lamp” (Mt 6:22). Would Jesus say your eyes are good or bad? (Mt 6:22-23) Repent of focusing on the world’s input (see 1 Jn 2:15). 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).

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.