In todays' passage, Jesus says "I am the light of the world..." This is one of the important "I am" statements from St. John's Gospel. Indeed, Jesus is the light. He is the light that chases out the darkness within our own souls, and shines a light on the path we must walk in holiness and truth. The first chapter of this Gospel tells us that "in Him was life, and the life was the light of men." The divine light and life simply are the essence of Jesus, the Logos that became flesh for us and for our salvation. It only takes a passing glance at local, national, or international news, or a quick reflection on our own day or week, to see how dark the world can be. But if we are attentive, we can also see pockets of light. We can see where light is expanding, chasing away darkness. We can see this in the small things, such as a kind word we hear or witnesses an act of charitable giving or merciful care for the sick and dying. We can see light chasing away darkness where the church, God's people, are gathering and where they are growing their numbers through ministry, discipleship, and mutual care and responsibility. When we look over the years since the Lord started His church, we can see darkness giving way to light. As I fight my more natural tendency to see the glass half-empty, Jesus invites us all to see the glass filling up. To see the darkness of sin and destruction gradually giving way to light as the Kingdom of God approaches. Let us pray that God would help us see the light in the world and in our own lives, and to be a light for others.
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