LENTEN REFLECTION: The Light of Christ

Today's Readings:

First Reading: Dn 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6 Gospel: John 8:12-20

Reflection:

When it’s dark, we can’t really see. It’s hard to see someone in the dark, and the best we can do is perceive shadows or figures but we can’t really recognize who they are. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Himself the light of the world. But the Pharisees do not recognize Him because they do not believe in Him. They are in the dark about this Jesus.

Jesus comes from God. He is the Son of God. He is One with the Father who made light on the first day and who gives life to everyone. Of course, He is the light of the world, thus whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

We experience a lot of darkness in our life. Sometimes we are scared, angry, sad, depressed, lost, and lonely. Sometimes we are sick and in pain. Sometimes we mourn the loss of someone we love. Darkness can also mean being in sin and unbelief. And then there is death-- the ultimate darkness. It’s not good to be in the dark. In the dark, we cannot see. We cannot recognize others and even ourselves. We cannot recognize God and we are unable to see what He does in our lives.

In the midst of our darkness, Jesus is there to meet us, to be with us, and to be our light. We know He is there because He, too, experienced all our darkness, even death. Maybe we don’t see Him immediately, but He is there. He may come in the darkest moments of our lives like a small flicker of light that would appear very brightly in the midst of great darkness. He comes to us because God our Father, the maker of light and giver of life, doesn’t want us to be lost in darkness. And when we live in the light, we see who we are, who others are, and who God is,

In another part of the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world.” When Jesus became our light, it did not stop there. It’s like a candle lighting another candle. We received Christ’s light when we were baptized. That’s why there’s a baptismal candle. We care called to share that light to others. We might know someone who is going through hard times, maybe they are depressed or maybe they got hurt. We can help them by talking to them, cheering them up, or maybe by just staying with them, listening to them and giving them a shoulder to cry on.

Sometimes even small acts of kindness would do. In many ways, we can be light for others. In these seemingly ordinary actions, we are sharing with them the light of Christ. In this way, we are following Christ. And when we follow Christ and share His light, we walk in the light of life.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, may we see Your light in the midst of darkness. Be our light when we walk in darkness. Things may become dark but we know You are always with us. Let Your light shine upon us so that we may also guide those who are going through dark moments in their life. May we be Lux in Domino so that Your light may shine brighter in our part of the world. Amen.

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From the Knights of Christ of the Ateneo Grade School

Members:

Lean Prado

Jewel Agama

Jan Santos

Emilio Policarpio

Kimi Villamor

Angelo Ronquillo

Santino Acuzar

Rafa Bellen

Chico Atanacio

Karl Bersola

Jami Bautista

Moderators:

Mr. Jerome Garcia

Mr. Jeff Velasco