24 April 2013 - facing the truth

24 April 2013 - facing the truth

I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. 

The world certainly doesn't know it is in darkness.  It is proud and self sufficient.  And yet, without knowing God and the big picture all it knows really amounts to nothing.  It is, after all, passing away.  This darkness affects us all to some extent but it is not the will of Jesus for us to remain in this condition.

for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 

He saves us by shining his light upon us.  The light is the light of his face.  It is not abstract or New Age.  It isn't impersonal.  This is the light of the knowledge of his person.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.

Jesus comes to reveal this face to us.  What even Moses was not permitted to see is now revealed to us.

and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.

By revealing the Father's face and living in perfect obedience to his will he makes known salvation.  And so he perfectly manifests the prayer of the psalmist.

So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

As we continue to seek him he sends the Holy Spirit to make known the light of his face more and more, both to us and to the whole world.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.” 

In order to spread the light of Jesus to the whole world we must be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  He has a specific mission for each one of us.  Whether he tells it directly to us or whether he uses others in the Church who are attentive to the Spirit it is no coincidence that he speaks when the focus is on God (worship) instead of the world (fasting).    It is helpful to be amidst brothers and sisters who are also listening attentively to God so they can help us to hear his voice.

Jesus comes to save the world but we don't sufficiently share his concern.  We give it lip service but we do not take the time to listen to his plan for how it is to happen.  Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to change our hearts so that we can make the prayer of the psalmist our sincerely own.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!