by Father Matthew Attia
In the gospel of Saint John, our Lord Jesus Christ repeats the term “I am”. I am the bread of life, I am the good shepherd, I am the way the truth and the life, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the light of the world.
The phrase I am the light of the world however, is repeated thrice and bestowed upon us when the Lord said: “You are the light of the world”. As Christians, we reflect the light of Christ, thus we dispel the darkness of sin and evil from our lives. In the baptism we put on Christ, emerge from the baptismal font as new persons filled with the light of Christ dispelling the darkness of sin and evil. We are called to walk in the light of Christ and become sons of light in a world covered by clouds of darkness, sin, evil and lusts. Therefore how do we walk in the light of Christ lest darkness over take us and we stumble?
1. The Word of God
To be enlightened by God we must deepen out reading and understanding and application of the living enriching words of the Bible. Your words says David, are a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (psalm 119:105). Never be discouraged f you read the Bible and you don’t remember or you fell you do not benefit persist in your daily thoughtful readings of the scriptures. Before reading, however, ask Christ “open my eyes to see the wonders of your law” (psalm 119:18). Search the scriptures thoroughly meditate in it day and night and observe to do all according to all that is written, in doing so you enlighten and sharpen your senses and you will enjoy prosperity and success in all you do (Joshua 1:8-9).
2. The Sacraments
By practicing the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion we grow in the light of Christ. In confession we come to Christ renewing our baptismal covenant, saying, we were once in darkness but now we have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:8&11). Through the glorious light of Christ we awake from sleep, arise from death illuminated by our loving and compassionate Lord.
In Holy Communion we receive the living body and blood of Christ; source and sustenance of our lives. For in Him was life and the life was the light of men (John 1:4). Therefore why remain in darkness! Revise your ways pick out the little sins before they grow and become part of your personality. Do not be afraid of sin or darkness; just as the lamp lights up in a dark room, so the fear of God when it penetrates the heart of man it illuminates him.
3. The Church
In the book of Revelations Saint John states the seven lamp stands are the seven churches (Revelations 1:20). The church is the lighthouse of the world. It is heaven on earth full of lit candles, priests, and deacons in white vestments, the walls are filled with icons of saints around each of them a halo of light reflecting the light of Christ.
How saddening it is to see and feel that within the beautiful fellowship of light, there exists elements of darkness. Saint John warns us: “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother he is in darkness until now” (1 John 1:9). Therefore let us properly extract envy, jealousy, self-seeking and hatred from our hearts. Therefore we can truly say that we walk in the light as He is the light and have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:6-7).
The Church is in need of strong active youth who being enlightened by Christ, utilize all their talents, gifts for the glory of God and the edification of His church. You therefore become alight in this dark world.
4. Spiritual Guidance
Take heed says out Lord that the light in you is not in darkness (Luke 11:35). Regularly examine your path, attitude, conduct and words. It is consistent with God’s commandments and the teachings of the church? Some falsely perceive they are managing well, although they are drowning in a sea of sins. Others are robbed in self-righteousness. Empowered by the Holy Spirit the fathers of the church provide proper guidance suitable for our spiritual maturity. If your deeds are authentically Christian then you freely and meekly seek spiritual guidance; hence your deeds are clearly seen that they have been done by God (John 3:21).
Every morning in meek prayer ask our Gracious Lord: ‘O Christ our God, true light, let the senses and thoughts of the light to shine upon me, let me not be covered by the darkness of pain (morning prayer – Agbya). God is light (1 John 1:5), and with His light we see light. Deeply moved by the following words of Saint Paul, Saint Augustine’s heart was finally shaken and repented: “Our salvation is nearer than we first believed…Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12).
May the light of Christ penetrate our hearts, enlighten out minds thus renewing our inner man to faithfully walk in the path of the sun of righteousness .
Last modified: March 17, 2021
