Let Light Shine

Today’s Gospel Text: Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caper'na-um by the sea, in the territory of Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali, 14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

7 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."   18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.   23 And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decap'olis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. Matt 4:12-17, 23-25

Reflection: The power of darkness keeps us subjugated and all who work as instruments of darkness keep the people too subjugated under the yoke of slavery, even to sin and bondage.

So often we hear of the darkness of sin and bondage which assails people and individuals in families  and it becomes a great source of pain.

The manifestation of such darkness is seen in the way people struggle through life, going through the daily grind and hardships of handling relationships at various level:

Whether it be the relationship between a dominating boss or his rebellious subordinate, or between husband and wife, children and parents and children among themselves or children or school friends or teachers or vendors or government officials, etc.

These relationships could go sour either on account of the insensitivities of peoples or the hypersensitivities of the individuals in such a turmoil. 

The darkness in relationships are manifested by the struggles in our hearts and mind; to handle them and to resolve the thorny issues.

Sometimes it could be the habitual sin and the embarrassment which has no power to resolve the problem. The darkness of guilt and shame which makes it difficult to sort it out with others help.

Then there could be the darkness of losing on our resources for daily living or the chronic sickness which sometime could lead to a handicap. The ultimate darkness could be the death or separation of a loved one.

Many a times everything seems dark and difficult, we feel that we may never be able to resolve the issues at hand.

If you think you belong to any of these categories or people, with problems even deeper than this, then believe that the great light has already manifested and we no longer need live in darkness. 

If we trust him and count on him in our darkness then even in the darkest moment he the light will dispel every darkness from our life. 

Prayer: Lord as I come before you with the dark areas of my life, let your light shine in my life, so that every darkness is dispelled and I may continue my onward journey trusting in your love and mercy.

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