10 October 2015 - nightlight

He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Those who hear the word of God and observe it are just. Even in the valley of shadow they need not fear. The sun may even withhold its light.

For near is the day of the LORD
in the valley of decision.
Sun and moon are darkened,
and the stars withhold their brightness.

There may be nothing in the whole material world to prevent us from stumbling in the dark. There may not be any light to cast back the fear that darkness brings. But even when circumstance has nothing to offer the word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (cf. Psa. 119:105). It is more than letters on a page. We know the word was made flesh. He is the light of the world. He is the light which the darkness cannot overcome.

Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.

Even when everything around us looks dark and it feels like we have no point of reference and no idea where to go the even darkness is not dark for him (cf. Psa. 139:12) and he is with us always.

Even amidst a world full of malice, even on land that may be consumed by disasters at any moment, we need not fear. Our God is powerful. He roars from Zion with judgment. He is the one who holds our lives in his hand. He is on our side.

Light dawns for the just because Jesus himself is the dawn from on high which breaks upon us to shine on those in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace (cf. Luk. 1:78:79).

If we are fearful or if we are lost let us fix our eyes more and more firmly on this prophetic word. The earthquake and the sky darkening remind us the God's ultimate day of judgment on the world when Jesus was crucified. It was a frightening day indeed. But because Jesus endured it with trust in the Father now we in turn can draw strength from him. He is able to be the light for us at the darkest possible point.

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (cf. 2 Pet. 1:19).

Even if the stars withhold the brightness we have the light of the sun which never sets.

but the LORD is a refuge to his people,
a stronghold to the children of Israel.

Let us rejoice in him! Mary is twice blessed because she hears this word and obeys it more perfectly than anyone else before or since. She knows more than anyone else that Jesus is the light which brings the Magi, which shines in the darkness, which even death cannot overcome.