The Light of the World

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

Opening Prayer: Jesus, I have faith that I have received you and you have made me a child of God. I know that I am set apart and am different, not for anything I do but because of you who dwell in me. I am sorrowful when my thoughts, words, and actions don’t reflect that truth. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. But I have hope that you will be my strength when I am weak, my light when I am off track, and my faithful friend who will guide me always to the path of truth. I love you Jesus and am so grateful for your light that dwells in my heart.

Encountering Christ:

1. The Word Was God: As we navigate our social-media world saturated with breaking news, mixed messages, splashy images, and catchy headlines, discernment of truth can be a challenge. Jesus is THE Word, THE truth. The Lord knows how much time we spend on our phones or how easily one show can turn into two or three until, before we know it, we are binge-watching, having wasted hours of precious time. We need to unplug to make time to tune into the one Word that matters most in our lives–Jesus.
2. Bear Witness to the Light: John was called to bear witness to the light. Like John, we are also called to bear witness to your light in times of work, with our family, in our ministry, and even during rest. How we spend our time matters. When it’s time for rest, Christians choose healthy ways to recharge and rejuvenate so that when it’s time to mission we may bear witness to the light in a world that knows not the Lord.
3. Grace and Truth: Jesus is grace and truth. When we reflect on the graces Our Lord has shown us, we are reminded of how intimately we are known by him. He leads us out of darkness into light, if we let him. His truth will reorient us so that the means and tools of this world are put in their proper place and we are liberated to love him and others with our whole heart. 

Conversing with Christ: Dearest Jesus, we live in a world where messages and technology are constantly vying for our attention. We want to put these tools in their proper place so that we may not only witness to your truth and your light, but so that we will live in your truth and light. Come into our heart now and shine your light into every corner so that nothing is hidden from you. Turn all darkness to light so that your light may shine through us to all souls we encounter today and in our lifetime.

Resolution: Lord, today by our grace I will set boundaries on the time I spend with technology tools in order to find more time to connect with you so that your light, which lives in me, will shine brightly to all souls I encounter.

For Further Reflection:  https://rcspirituality.org/study_circle_guide/seeking-first-the-kingdom30-meditations-on-how-to-love-god-with-all-your-heart-mind-soul-and-strength/.

Marjorie Davin is a lay member of Regnum Christi of 21 years who has served as director of the  Women’s Section in the Washington, D.C., area. She and her husband just celebrated their jubilee anniversary of 25 years and are the parents of four adult children.