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The Light of the World



A reflection for the darkest day of the year, liturgically.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life…
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."


John 8:12 & 9:4-5



From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27: 45-51


In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1: 4


REFLECTION
I am
the light of the world
Earth owes its life to the light of the sun
And the people of the earth owe their life
To the light of the Son of God
Darkness is the absence of light
But darkness cannot snuff out this light
My light
Though the sun ceases shining
And the moon has no light to reflect
Though the stars are all erased from the sky
Leaving you in the darkness of death
Still I will shine
Bringing love in place of hatred
Hope in place of despair
Peace in place of conflict
Life in place of death
My love for you is more constant than the sun
It was before the sun was formed
It shall continue long after the sun is extinguished
I am
The light of the world
Live in it…


Jesus, you said, 'I am the light of the world',
You gave sight to a man born blind.
The darkness will never overcome you.
Son of God, help us to see.

Give me, for light, the sunshine of thy sorrow,
Give me for shelter, shadow of they cross;
Give me to share the glory of thy morrow,
Gone from my heart the bitterness of loss.

G.A. Studdert Kennedy
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