22 January 2017 - one light

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus himself is the light of the world. Where he goes, there is light. Where he walks darkness is dispelled. He brings abundant joy and great rejoicing with him. He does this by bringing freedom from the rod of the taskmaster. Just as the Israelites were slaves in Egypt so too is the whole world is slavery to sin, to fear, and to death. This is the cause of all of the darkness we see. There is plenty of it. It almost seems normal. It certainly seems almost impossible to fight or change. Yet where Jesus walks this darkness is dispelled.

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?

Even if some of the effects of sin still mar the world we no longer need fear them. Sickness and death are still facts but they need not control our lives. Even if the valley is still dark we need not fear any evil because the LORD himself is with us giving us (see Psalm 23:4). His word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (see Psalm 119:105). The one who follows Jesus does not walk in darkness but has the light of life (see John 8:12).

What cause can there be for division among us? There is only one light whom we are called to follow, to imitate, and to make present in the world. Even if there are different liturgical styles, musical preferences, Spiritualities, modes of prayer, styles of preaching, and whatever other legitimate differences there may be, the one essential thing is the presence of Jesus Christ. This presence is only found completely in the Church of Jesus, because that Church is his body. When we turn away from that light because it doesn't suit us, or because we have better ideas, or because we find greater entertainment elsewhere, it is always succumbing to the darkness in some way. The symptoms may take a while to become evident. But always they do.

there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
"I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," 
or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?

Great, we think. We're Catholic, so we are good to go. Perhaps. But are we truly of one heart and mind with the Church? When she calls us to the demands of discipleship and invites us to follow her light, do we respond, or do we adapt the call to our own needs? Are we already beginning to create small divisions to suit us? With one call to follow Jesus the Church reminds us that there is but one light of the world. Let us follow him.

He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.