The Light of the World 

   “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8: 12) 

   There is so much darkness in the world.  Satan and the evil he brings permeates every part of our life.  I’ve often said that the 7/24 news cycle is a curse upon mankind.  “If it bleeds, it leads” has become the mantra of the news industry.  But not blood only, sex, war, unrest of any kind takes priority in what is piped into our homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Darkness should be their motto, since darkness is all they bring.

   We used to be able to watch a movie without being assaulted by extreme violence, sexual promiscuity of all kinds, and the determination to redefine history, as well as right and wrong, based on the perverted viewpoint of society at large.  It has become harder and harder to find a movie that depicts anything other than the darkness overwhelming our culture.

   The same applies to television and even the music we hear.  The grasp of Satan on society has increased a hundred-fold in the last several years.  There seems to be nowhere that is safe other than church, and even there some have begun to accept and promote the devil’s ways.  Darkness on top of darkness.

   But into the darkness comes the light of Christ.  It’s amazing how little light it takes to break through the darkness.  Try it for yourself; completely darken a room and them light just a tiny candle.  The light from that tiny source will light the room.  Imagine the light of Christ as He lights up the world with His love and mercy.  Darkness can never overcome His light.

   St. John tells us, “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but the people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” (John 3: 19).  Satan can tempt and cajole, but he cannot force me to sin; that choice is mine alone.  By always seeking the light, I can overcome the darkness.

 

Light my life with Your light Lord.  Help me banish the darkness and follow wherever you lead.  Amen