Now that spring is approaching, the days are growing longer. Hooray! No more getting up and going to church in the dark. The Gospel of John opens by calling Jesus the light of the human race. Jesus identifies himself as the light of the world. I can see why. The other night I was driving on a highway in an unfamiliar car. In the dark I had a hard time seeing the lanes…until another car flashed its lights to let me know I didn’t have the lights on. Jesus is the light for our life’s journey. He shows us the way to go and keeps us from crashing.
Light happens to be my favorite image for God. It has qualities that remind me of God. Light is mysterious. We still don’t know if it is waves or particles. If you’ve ever marveled at the night sky filled with stars or at a city landscape decorated by night lights, you know that light is beautiful. That is why we string lights on our Christmas trees and set candles on our dining room tables. Light is also comforting. Ask any child who can only sleep with a nightlight on, or recall a time when the lighted windows of your home as you approached it gave you a warm, cozy feeling. Light enables us to see truth. It lets children see that the monster in the bedroom is really only the vacuum cleaner. It helps us read and gain knowledge. Cartoonists show that an idea has dawned by drawing a light bulb over a person’s head. Light means serenity, safety, and security. Lighthouses warn ships at sea of dangerous rocks. We keep flashlights handy in case the power goes out.
No wonder Jesus told us to let our light shine. By bringing his life and truth into the world, we help dispel the darkness and gloom. We guide others in making a safe journey.
You might light a candle today and reflect on the ways God is light for you.
How have you been light for others? How can you be in the future?
What is your favorite image for God?
2 Responses
I discovered your blog today and really enjoying it. I think I’m with you, light is my favorite image for God as well. For a while I collected lighthouse statuettes, reproductions of real ones. A lighthouse has a sense of embrace to those looking on it, sort of the same notion that St. Peter’s Cathedral has with its embracing arms.
Yes, and a lighthouse guides people and keeps them safe, just like God does if they pay attention to him!