3 September 2013 - lighten the load

3 September 2013 - lighten the load

For all of you are children of the light 
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.

Jesus is the light that enlightens all men (cf. Joh. 1:4).  He enlightens us and gives us fuel to keep our lamps burning.  When Jesus the bridegroom comes let us go out to meet him with our lamps burning brightly (cf. Mat 25:1-13).  He himself is our light so we are able to fearlessly shine for him.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

His light becomes our own light.  How does this happen?  We gaze upon him.  As we do this we are transformed from one degree of glory to another (cf. 2 Cor 3:18).  Hence he also calls us the light of the world now that we share in his own light (cf. Mat 5:14-16).

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD

Let us gaze upon him.  We don't have to fill the time with words or intentions or plans.  We just need to be there with him.  Faith assures us that he always responds when we do this.  If we are willing to waste time with him he will capture our wills more and more even if it is imperceptible at first.

How do we gaze upon him?  Most particularly in Eucharistic adoration, of course.  But we also gaze upon him when we hear his word.

What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out.”

His word contains his very presence and power.  Let us not rush from one word to the next.  Let us welcome each word.  Let us be attentive.  Let us be open to the transformation that these words can bring.

Let us trust in his promise.  There are times when we won't feel him even though he is always within us transforming us.  Knowing his promises encourages us at these times that he is with us and that eventually we will experience the fullness of his presence.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.