LOOKING FOR THE LIGHT
At this time in the history of our Church and our country, it is difficult to look past the darkness that seems to surround us. But we as Christians can find light and hope in the words of Jesus himself. There are at least seven times in the Gospel of John that Jesus tells us to look to Him for the strength to face our doubts, our fears, our disillusionment and our discouragement:
“I am the bread of life” (Jn 6:48)
“I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12)
“I am the door” (Jn 10:12)
“I am the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11)
“I am the resurrection and the life” (Jn 11:25 )
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6)
“I am the vine” (Jn 15:5)
Consider each of these pronouncements prayerfully. In making these statements, Jesus reveals much about the world around us, about the lives we lead, and about Himself and what He offers us. However, we must be willing to fully accept Him and His teachings if we are to be able to see through the darkness. In Ephesians, St. Paul tells us that many walk in darkness, alienated from God, because of the blindness of their hearts. There are many degrees of darkness in which people find themselves today – terrorism, war, sexual abuse, drug addiction, poverty and greed among them. If we are truly followers of Jesus, are we willing to reflect His light in our own lives? How wonderful to know that we will come through the darkness, for we are connected to the Vine, and we have the light of life through Jesus, who, in His own words, is “the light of the world.” Submitted by Marguerite Mullins