Today we celebrate the Feast of Jesus the Messiah as True Light of the World – the whole world. He came to enlighten everyone, not just the people of his family heritage, the people of Israel, but all people everywhere – the "people-everywhere" were called "Gentiles!"
What actually happened on that cold and starry night in Bethlehem was that an ENORMOUS LIGHT began to glow in that cradle! A light brighter than anyone could ever imagine seeing – a brightness greater than any bleacher could make a white garment – a light more brilliant than seven suns! The animals could sense it! No doubt Mary and Joseph could see it!
But not only was it just a light – it was also at the same time a peaceful light! Everything that the Light touched also was filled with an amazing sense of Peace, Calm and Joy!
That Light, that Peace, that Joy was the Christ-child, Emmanuel! the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords! His radiance filled the night!
But this absolutely brilliant light capable of reaching and flooding the entire earth – right there from that crib in that stable – was a very peculiar kind of light – because even though it now existed on the earth, and it shone for all it was worth – not everyone could see it, or benefit from it! In fact most couldn't! Or refused to! Some could see just dimly a few rays - and even that came and went!
Why is this so? This Light (of Peace) can only be seen by those who use the "eyeglasses" or "filter" of "FAITH!" The Light began shining that night, and it is still shining – but only those with faith-glasses can see it and be affected by its peaceful glow!
On the day of our Baptism the eyeglasses or filter of faith (if you will) are given to us – and the light is switched on! This is what happens when the water is poured and the words are said. In fact, this is the very same Light of the (Easter) Paschal Candle – and it is up to us to keep it lit always, to make sure that the light of God will be the light for the path of our life, and that it will be ours to share from our hearts with all with whom we come into contact – in our families, our schools, at our work, in our play!
What can dim our light or even extinguish it and make it impossible to see God's light at all, thus causing us to stumble around in darkness of spirit - is sin-after-baptism. We must at all costs avoid sin as much as we possibly can in order to keep the Light as bright and as strong as it is meant to be for us! Confession switches the light back on!
But what nourishes our faith the best – in order to live a strong Catholic faith-life - is the reception, with open hearts, of the very Body and Blood of Christ (which he provided for this very purpose) - that we share at this table week after week! It is real spiritual food! It is real spiritual drink! It is a real spiritual recharging of the batteries of the Faith-Light that we need to live day by day – in a way that is pleasing to God and helpful to others! And forgives lesser sins – it wipes our faith-glasses clean!
Active and enthusiastic life in the Church then is the remedy for the Un-life (the Death-wish) of the World.
The death of worldly selfishness and self-centeredness will happen only when we live more fully and effectively our Catholic faith. Let this be our Spiritual New Year's Resolution: "TO BE TRUE CATHOLICS, THROUGH AND THROUGH-OUT THE NEW YEAR!"
The people in darkness – the people of Israel – saw a great light!
It came to dwell in their midst! Most did not receive it or even notice it! But to those who did receive it – a new and glorious life was to be revealed! Today, the Magi represent all of us – the "rest of the world" – who come to the crib to offer gifts fit for a king, a priest, and a savior - to the very small but O so Radiant Light of this brand new and glorious Day!
May we see his star always rising above us, and showing us they way; and
let us make our lives ones of homage to the one who left so much behind - in order to give up so much - to make our futures as brilliant as the stars.
May the Light and Peace of the Christ Child be with you now and always! Amen!
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