The Light Has Arisen

January 7, 2008

Monday After Epiphany

By Beth DeCristofaro

The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession." (Ps 2: 7-8)

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. (Mt 4: 23, 24)

Piety

God, let me see and know your Son today. Let me make quiet space within myself so that your Son will fill me and set in motion whatever I think or do. Let me know and rejoice in the Light of the Son. Let the space within be filled with your light, health, peace, truth and a fiery desire for you. All else will follow.

Study

Clearly the psalm prefigures Jesus. Although Jesus was Word, always of and always with God, at one point in time he also became Emmanuel in order that for us and for those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. (Mat 4:12)

And what does Jesus do for and with us? "He cured them." In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus' primary ministry is: speaking the Word of God, teaching and healing. All of these ministries directly touch those who listen. Jesus touches and cures physically, psychically, emotionally each individual who accepts. He is a helping hand to the fallen. He is light in the darkness. He is truth in confusion. He is peace resolving conflict. He is salve for pain. He is acceptance within loss. He completes finite humanness.

Are we ready for the cure? Can we to stand up and rejoice, taking the cure offered, then turning and offering it to others? Are we willing to gratefully live the Word of love. Are we willing to heal, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation rather than our own agenda? Are we willing to share with thanksgiving the Light we have been given – perhaps through our words but most importantly through our actions?

All are welcome to the healer. He offers his light to anyone. We can close our blinds or we can open to the light.

Action

As Fr. Oswald said in his homily yesterday: "Are you sure you are the light of the world?" Make time for light. Look to the east, enjoy the sun. God's light is in the world. God's light is in me. Let God's light illumine each step I take today whether physically, mentally or emotionally. Let the light of God shine from my being today.