Are we now the People who walk in Darkness?
- Monica Walton
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Last week, on the Third Sunday in this Ordinary Time, the Reading from Isaiah spoke of degraded lands, anguish, gloom, a yoke that burdens shoulders, division, rivalry... Isaiah prophesied to the long-oppressed people of Israel that light ~ a great light ~ would come to save them. He describes in vivid imagery what would come when the Lord would be glorified. Anguish flies away, darkness is dispelled, gloom and distress will flee when this light has shone. The light brings abundant joy, great rejoicing, relief from burdens, and unity.
Jesus is the Light!
Monday was the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This celebration falls 40 days after Christmas and commemorates the day Mary and Joseph brought their 40-day-old infant son, Jesus, to the Temple, fulfilling Jewish law. Since the 4th Century, Christians have been honoring this significant event with a Candlemas procession. The faithful carry lighted candles down the road and into the Church as a symbol of Mary and Joseph bringing the Light ~ Jesus ~ into the Temple.
I've never witnessed a Candlemas procession, and I wish it were universally practiced. I think we still need such powerful symbolism in our world. We need more reminders for ourselves, and as witnesses to others, that we Christians are the Light-bearers.
As I reflected on this rich history and the hope embedded in these Scriptures, I was struck by this thought:
Are we now the people living and walking in darkness?
Surely, each of us does in some way. Jesus went through hell so that humankind would be saved from the darkness. Because of Him, we can see what living in darkness and division brings. Because of Him, we know a better way. Checking the news headlines, I'd say it’s time for us to move into the light.
What is Jesus wanting to breathe into the violence and divisions that are breaking our world today?
The Light of Christ is His most special and miraculous gift to us! We have the opportunity to touch and taste the Light of Jesus every day. He shines brightly in our sanctuaries during Sunday services. We need to bring His light onto the streets and not just leave the glow at Mass! We are created to carry the light that dispels the darkness. If not us, then who? Are we waiting for someone else to shine?
If we don’t shine and share the light, then we become the people of darkness!
Why are the voices of discord and cruelty louder than the voices of harmony and compassion? Why do political debates and finger-pointing, global conflicts and deadly shootings, disaster and devastation, violence and compulsion, get the most attention? The light dispels darkness, so as receivers and bearers of the light, we are to use our voices to share God's Word, His Love, and His Peace.
But first, we have to recognize the ways we sit and walk in darkness, and prayerfully contemplate the reasons we hide the light. Why don’t we share it and lovingly shine it into the dark places?
These days of Ordinary Time are ideal for immersing ourselves in the Readings and doing some Ignatian stretching with them. These days are an invitation to listen to God's Voice and not give worldly noises and entertainment permission to cloud our minds and drown Him out. Think of the ways our land is degraded today. Know that God has glorified the road ahead! Ask the Lord to show where you favor darkness over light. Sit with Him, give Him time to reveal the answers. As we learn to dedicate ourselves to spending time with the Lord and listening to Him, we begin to see our anguish take wing, fly away, and dispel the darkness.
Look at the face of Jesus and see, really see, the great Light. Receive His abundant joy and rejoice.
The broken world is waiting for us to shine! It's waiting for us to speak peace, love, and harmony, shining the light of compassion to the world. Healing begins with each of us. Let us ask Jesus how we can breathe light into the suffering and hurt that degrades and devastates our hearts, family, church, workspace, and community.
He will absolutely show us the way, and He will dispel the darkness. We are His people!
Let us Pause to Pray... Lord, erase from my mind everything I think I know about recent events in our country. I set aside all of my opinions that shape my feelings on others’ motives and actions. Give me a new experience of Your Sacred Word and help me see the situation through Your eyes.
This week, we heard the Fourth Sunday’s Gospel featuring the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus presented the Beatitudes. Take a moment to picture yourself standing at the foot of the mountain listening to Jesus teach. Feel the cool breeze on your back and the warm sun on your face. Stand there for a few moments. Look and listen. His voice is so very gentle and kind.
When he finishes His sermon on the mount, Jesus descends the hillside. The crowd cheers and parts to let Him through. Some people are crying tears of Blessing to be in His presence. You follow Jesus down the path away from Galilee. You follow Him all the way to the streets of Minneapolis. The sidewalks are crowded. You notice the cacophony and the diversity. Such a stark change from where Jesus came.
You notice how a well-dressed man looks down upon a scruffy homeless man sleeping on a door stoop. The scruffy man's partner looks up at the wealthy passerby with mutual disgust. On the next block, a woman is jogging but stops to speak to an unwashed, unshaven man with a sign. He cries because she sees him and cares enough to check on him.
Jesus calmly meanders through the people. You begin to notice that some immediately stop what they’re doing when He is near. They know something has changed, but they aren’t quite sure what. They look around as if someone tapped them on their shoulder. But they don’t see anyone special, so they return to what they were doing. On the corner, an elderly woman selling trinkets from a cart immediately falls to her knees and kisses Jesus’ hand. He stops and blesses her. They chat briefly and embrace. Her face is glowing.
Across the street, two young mothers are trying to discipline their rowdy children as they wait for the bus. Only one sees Jesus. She softens her tone and bends down to redirect her son and daughter's attention to the Lord. Together, they make the sign of the cross and whisper a prayer. They are much calmer now. The other mother still doesn’t look toward Jesus. Her voice gets louder, and her frustration increases.
You are most surprised to notice how many people are busy looking at their phones as they rush along, oblivious to anyone or anything around them. They have no idea Jesus is in their midst. Some even push and shove, forcing people out of the way, as if they are solitary souls drifting in a bubble.
Though the Light is in their midst, still they walk in darkness.
You start to get upset that Jesus has to suffer again in this way. It must be breaking His heart. You apologize to Jesus, telling Him you are so sorry He has to see people like this. You ask Him to forgive them and you for the times you didn't notice Him.
Jesus stops and looks lovingly into your eyes. You are captivated and never want to leave His face. You can see your reflection in His eyes, but it doesn't look like what you see in the mirror. You see a much more beautiful version of yourself. Jesus breaks the silence and asks, "Do you want to know what I see?" All you can muster is a faint nod.
Jesus looks around and says, I see people who are trying…
People who are struggling…
People who are discerning what they hear and read…
People who are easily swayed and misled…
People who are focused on doing the right thing…
People who are distracted and devoted to worldly things… People who pray, but spend more time reading gossip and recipes than my Word… People who are informed on the latest news, but know little about the needs of their family, friends, neighbors, and community…
I see hearts filled with anger... uncertainty... apathy... skepticism... fear... worry... shame...
Hearts that have forgotten me...
Hearts that have turned away from me...
Hearts that have given up on me.
How I wish all people would rely on the light, love, truth, compassion, understanding, courage, and wisdom that my Father has embedded in their hearts."
Jesus is the Light!
Several of the recent daily Communion Antiphons were taken from Psalm 34. It's a much-needed reminder for us. Perhaps we should post it on our mirrors!
"Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed."
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Are we walking in darkness, thinking someone else is responsible for the anguish, gloom, burdens, division, and rivalry in our degraded land?
Holy Spirit, move in us and show us the ways we walk in darkness, so that we can open our hearts and allow the light of Christ to shine in us there!
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Lean into Lent fits into the busyness of life and delivers a more authentic, life-changing Lenten Season. This weekly devotional is designed to help us prayerfully grow closer to Jesus and uncover what stands in the way of living life authentically and more fully for God.
A great guide worthy of revisiting every year during Lent!
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Monica this was wonderful and SO true! You explain it so well, and are an excellent preacher! My non-Catholic husband was super impressed!!
Monica this is one of the best of your many beautiful works.. it has touched me deep in my heart. Thanks so much for continuing to inspire us ❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️