In our first reading today we see Barnabas and Saul chosen by the Holy Spirit to go and do the work to which they have been called: hands were laid on them: they were "ordained" – and sent to Seleucia and to Cyprus and Salamis to proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.
What a joy it must have been both for them and for their hearers to be a part of the process of bringing the living, vibrant, essential word of God to those who lived in darkness. They were bringing Jesus the Light of the World to them!
In the gospel passage, Jesus says clearly and plainly that he is the light of the world – so that everyone who believes in him might not remain in darkness. That's all it takes: a simple act of belief in him! But how difficult that simple leap is for some! Belief in Jesus, belief in the Father, belief in the working of the Holy Spirit means that we are not in charge – at all! And, especially, we, as Americans do not like that concept or feeling at all. We are a "take charge" kind of people! And nothing could be more detrimental to our happiness on earth and our place in eternity than clinging to this false notion.
It is only when we let it be – let it be in us according to God's will – in every circumstance, at every hour of the day and night – that the dawn begins to break – faith begins to grow – and we begin to see the true Light in our life which is the Risen Jesus!
And Jesus tells us so wonderfully again today that we get a two for one deal: when we see and hear him, we see and hear his Father! The Father and he are one: you just can't get one without the other! This is amazing news! It is the Father's will that is most important. And Jesus tells us that it is his Father's will that we have eternal life as a result of our belief in himself, Jesus.
May we cooperate today in our own redemption by making an act of will to will what God wants for us, to live by the light he wants to provide for us, to accept his gift of eternal life at the Last Day!
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