This past Monday we experienced the movement from light to darkness to light as we experienced the solar eclipse. This experience can help us to understand today’s Gospel and the Easter Mysteries. Today’s Gospel proclaims: “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil…But whoever lives the truth comes to the light.” Which did you prefer on Monday, the darkness or the light? We prefer to live in light not in darkness but sometimes we do not realize that we are living in darkness.
John tells us that God sent his Son into the world to show us his love and the true light. A core Gospel truth, a sort of Gospel within the Gospel, is John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” God’s will and desire is to love each one of us and to save each one of us. He makes this love concrete in the life, the teachings and healings, and the death and resurrection of his beloved Son.
Jesus is the true light that leads us to God. He invites us to follow his way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” As you walk into church during this Easter Season you see the huge Easter Candle. This candle was solemnly lit at the Easter vigil and that light was passed to all that were in the church as we sang and proclaimed: “The Light of Christ. Thanks be to God.” Jesus, the light of the world, has passed his light on to each one of us through our baptism. Jesus exhorts us to share that light:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Image: “Total Solar Eclipse – July 2, 2019” by NASA Goddard Photo and Video is licensed under CC BY 2.0.