A light of revelation to the Gentiles (December 29)

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Fifth Day within the Christmas Octave


In the writings of John, Jesus is copiously described with a lot of imageries: He is described as as the WORD (Jn. 1:1), the LIGHT (Jn. 1:5; 8:12; 1 Jn. 1:5); LOVE (Jn. 3:16); and so on. From whichever way we look at it, those imageries interpenetrate each other because they describe one person, Jesus. If Jesus is the “Word” and the “Light”, then we can as well say that the Word is Light. If Jesus is “Love” and “Light”, then we can as well say that Love is Light.


On the basis of the above, St John writes that “He who loves his brother abides in the light. And he who says that he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still” (cf. 1 Jn. 2:9-11). The simplest connection is this: “Jesus is Love; Jesus is Light. He who abides in Jesus abides in LOVE and LIGHT and should be an agent of love”.


In Luke 2:22-35, the old man Simeon prophesied that Jesus is a light for revelation to the Gentiles. In those days, the Jews regarded the Gentiles (or non Jews) as nobodies, as people who lived in the dark. Simeon’s prophetic utterance is a clear message that Jesus has come to be a light for the “Gentiles”, a light for those who sojourned in darkness; a light for those who were regarded as nobodies; salvation for those who were condemned to perish. What a piece of good news!


The good news is for us! Our fallen human nature often places us in the dark: sometimes, we see ourselves being engulfed by the darkness of deep hatred, intolerance, favoritism and the like. But Jesus the Light has also come to light up our darkened hearts, minds and consciences so that we may learn, know and understand that we are all sons and daughters of God, created in His image and likeness. The implication is that we should keep on loving, cherishing and tolerating one another irrespective of backgrounds. St John wrote, "Whoever says that he/she is in the light and hates his/her brother or sister is still in the darkness" (1 Jn. 2:9). We no longer live in the region of darkness. We have come to the light. JESUS IS THE LIGHT WHICH HAS BEEN REVEALED TO US! No true follower of Jesus should ever contemplate HATRED or execute HATEFUL ACTIONS.


Prayer:

May the light of Christ continue to shine until every shade of darkness in us dissipates, Amen!





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