John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.  What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Just take a look at the news headlines and you have to wonder: Where is the light?  There seems to be so much darkness.  Look at the seemingly endless fighting in the Middle East.  Before all the fighting…before any human being took issue with another…before human beings were made…there was God.  And with God was the Word…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among human beings bringing God’s light into fullness.  What is missing in the melee of human conflict…is Jesus.  Who will be the light in this darkness?  Who will be the light of Jesus?  It will be the person who offers forgiveness instead of retribution.  The Kingdom of God IS at hand.  Who will bravely bring God’s Kingdom into the melee?

It’s hard to comprehend the injustice and inhumanity of a shooting spree in California that left at least 9 people dead on Christmas Eve.  Apparently an ugly divorce is what prompted a man to do the unthinkable.  These are the kinds of events that leave you shaking your head and asking…why?  Each person has a choice as to whether he or she will be an ambassador of light…or darkness.  But inhumane treatment and mental illness may also cloud such a choice.

I am reminded of another unjust and inhumane incident described in Acts 6 where Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr.  Stephen remains true to his calling to stand up for the crucified Savior before His persecutors…and for that he is stoned to death.  In Matthew 10:22 Jesus said that “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”  Suffering seems to be a given in this world.  But God is Love…and in the end…Love will win.  That is the story of Jesus.  Death on the cross appears to be a final loss…but the resurrection turns defeat into everlasting victory.  God can turn around any tragedy.  People of the light will come forward to help those victimized in California and perhaps something unforeseen will yet happen…some positive transformation amidst the terrible suffering.  The stoning of Stephen appeared to be death triumphing over life.  Who would have thought at the time that a devoted persecutor of Christians…a man named Saul…who witnessed the stoning…would later be transformed into one of the most powerful evangelists who ever lived?  The Light will find its way through the dark twists and turns and will shine.  May it shine through you today!

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Jesus is still at work in this dark world.  His light is still shining.  Just look in places of pain and suffering.  A story has made national news in South Florida where a woman’s home burned down.  Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat learned of Dawn Smith’s plight and took action.  The basketball star helped the woman’s family move into a new home just in time for Christmas.  Inside the house were some furnishings, clothing and gifts.  The AP story says that the player’s Wade’s World Foundation is going to make some payments on the home while Smith and her family get back on their feet.  A fire that had sparked what seemed to be a tragedy had ignited another kind of fire inside Wade’s heart.  When this kind of fire is turned into action…a great light shines indeed. 

Where is Jesus in this dark world?  He can be found in many places…some that even make the national news…like South Florida.   You don’t have to be all cleaned-up and perfect to be a channel of God’s love.  Jesus is ready to enter the heart of anyone at any time to enkindle a new flame. 

How will that Light shine through you today?

Luke 1:78-79

“…because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Come Light of the world. 

Shine into the darkness of my life.

Enter the depths of my being!

Let day break into the night

that hides in the crevices of my soul.

Psalm 25:4-5

Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.

Do you ever feel lost…like you just really have no idea what your next step should be in dealing with a situation…a relationship…or your life’s direction?  Who would have a better idea of the best next-step…than God?  Lord, make known to me Your will!  There is so much NOISE distracting me!  Help me to hear your gentle voice in silent prayer and contemplation…through reading the bible…through my participation at church…through your wondrous creation and through the words and actions of others who are following You!

Jesus pops up when you least expect him.  As a youth minister I lead various service outings for eighth-graders at Our Lady of the Visitation School.  We were volunteering at a local soup kitchen after school today trying to model what Jesus said about feeding the hungry.  It’s quite the experience for the five kids who go on these trips as they get to see first hand that not everyone is as financially fortunate as they are.  The minister who runs the soup kitchen prays with all the volunteers just before the doors are opened.  He will often say to the various young people there to make sure they smile and are kind to all the people they serve.  He says that they may be the only “Jesus” that these people coming in off the streets may see today.  The comment always has an impact on the kids…and on me.  There was one man today who was clearly having mental issues and may have been under the influence of alcohol or some other substance.  He was friendly to the kids as well as one of their moms who came to chaperone.  Before we left he was giving the kids a lesson on life.  He said, “Don’t fear anything!  You fear something and shrink away from it…and later find out it was no big deal.  So don’t fear anything!”  And then it hit me.  We came to the soup kitchen to “be Jesus” to those less fortunate than we are…and here was a homeless man “being Jesus” to us.  How many times did Jesus tell his disciples, “Do not be afraid”?  I had a lump in my throat as I pulled my car away to return to my comfortable home…and glimpsed this man wandering slowly down the sidewalk as a chilly drizzle fell from the sky.