Sunday, January 26, 2014 Virtual Retreat Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Reflections following the Daily Liturgical cycle Retreat Master: Deacon John Ruscheinsky Saint of the Day IS 8:23-9:3/PS 27:1, 4, 13-14/1 COR 1:10-13, 17/MT 4:12-23 THE PEOPLE...HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT I want to begin with a verse from a song that Randy Travis sung: All it takes is a point of light, a ray of hope in the darkest night. If you see whats wrong and you try to make it right, you can be a point of light. In todays scriptures, darkness and light are powerful symbols for us, just as they were for those for whom Isaiah wrote. We can certainly describe our national tragedies and our personal ones as well, as dark days. When we are probing and searching for direction in our lives we say we are in the dark, and hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can say, after reflecting on our first and second readings, that I am not completely happy with the results of my struggles with these passages and the harsh realities around us these days. It doesnt feel as though things have balanced out; there are still many questions. But I do feel that, while I do not have all the answers, we are walking on a God-directed path that takes us through the darkness and points us to the light at the end of the tunnel! Looking right at our own time, some people I know are struggling with serious illnesses, tragedies and addictions. When darkness surrounds us it seems to me that God brings His light to help and that light often comes from the help of those around us. In todays Gospel, we read: The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen (Mt 4:16). Jesus came as a great light piercing the darkness in order to shine in the hearts of all Gods people. He is the Light! We pray, in todays Responsorial Psalm, The Lord is my light and my salvation (Ps 27:1a). In the Bible, light is another word for God. We confess this in the Creed: I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. In Johns Gospel, after the scribes and Pharisees brought Mary Magdalene to Jesus, we hear Him declare, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12). We have an absolute need for light, both physical and spiritual. On February 2, we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord! Jesus, the King of Glory, comes into His temple to be a light for all the nations. We will sing the Canticle of Simeon and hear Simeon praising God: ...for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You prepared in the sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel (Lk 2:32). How is Christ a light to you and me? All the deep questions of life are brought into the light by Jesus. What is true; what is false? What is good, what is bad? How can I be truly happy, especially during dark times in our world? In all of history, the best answers, in fact, the only answer, has been given by the Light of the World - Jesus Christ. What is this world all about? Who am I? Why am I here? Jesus throws a searching and revealing light on all these uncertainties. Is death the end of everything? The whole world, non-Christians as well as Christians, wants to know. With the piercing light of His Resurrection, Jesus gives the only satisfying answer! Who of us does not have problems in health, finance, personality, injustice, loneliness, ingratitude, and love UN-returned? In the bright light of what Jesus says and does we see our way through these perplexing problems. Truly, we who follow Him do not walk in darkness, but in the light. This light is renewed in us and rekindled on every altar in our churches! May we renew our love for the Light of the World - Jesus Christ - and be a source of light to those around us! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If for any reason you do not receive your daily retreat, please go to ihrc.net to read it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:31:59 +0000
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