Sunday, 19th January – Second Sunday of the year

Reflection: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6

LIGHT OF THE NATIONS

Can you imagine what our world would look like if the sun fails to rise? It It would mean a sustained global darkness. This cannot but unsettle mankind! Little wonder in the order of creation, God in His infinite wisdom created light before man (Genesis 1: 1-4, 26-27). The light of creation is itself a reflection of the True light, the Eternal Light in whose image man was created (Psalm 36:9). It is only God, the Eternal Light that truly illuminates; for this brightness penetrates beyond the eye it reaches deeper into the spirit and soul of man.

We must have light in order to reflect light. For us to be godly, God must be enthroned in our hearts. By His enthronement, He frees us from the inordinate love of self and other entrapment of sin. He ushers us into genuine freedom; the kind that makes our hearts resonate with the psalmist: “Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.” When we make a choice of God’s will and commit ourselves to doing it we become light in this fallen world. This light must necessarily challenge our human complacency (Matthew 5:14-16) for it is the kind that glorifies God. It reflects godliness in action and inaction. It fine tunes all aspects of our human life, ranging from spirituality to interpersonal relationships and our dedication to duty. It sometimes attracts opposition because it mystifies the fallen world (2Timothy 3:8, John 1:5). However, it is a pathway to assured victory. It is a dynamic way of evangelization.

Dear friends, if today there is still much darkness in the world, it calls you and I who answer the name “Christian” to reexamine our individual and cooperate ways of life. How bright is the light of Christ shining through me? Does my Christian identity promote or defame the name of Christ? We must be unsettled by the prevailing darkness in our world. To whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12: 47-48; Revelation 22:12)

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Light of glory, please brighten me up that my life may better honour and glorify you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 331 – Why is there nevertheless injustice among men?

All men have the same dignity, but not all of them meet with the same living conditions. In cases where injustice is man-made, it contradicts the Gospel. In cases where men have been endowed by God with different gifts and talents, God is asking us to rely on one another: in charity one should make up for what the other lacks.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16

Readings for today: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6; Psalm 40: 1-10; 1Corinthians 1: 1-3; John 1:29-34