“Carrying the Lighted Candle of God’s Presence, and burning with God’s Love!”

(Based on Is 56:1-3a, 6-8 and Jn 5:33-36 – Friday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

In a motivational session, the speaker put forth this seemingly easy task to his audience:
“How many of you can take a lighted candle to a dark room?”

In an instant, all the hands in the session hall went up.

The speaker once again put forth the question:
“I repeat… How many of you can take a ‘lighted’ candle to a ‘dark’ room?”

The number of hands was still pretty much the same, since they all felt it as a simple task, without necessitating any complications!

The speaker then challenged a volunteer from the audience to demonstrate and prove the same.

A young gentleman came up.

Taking the lighted candle, he was to go to the adjacent room which was without lights.

But as he reached the entrance of the dark room with the lighted candle…
… he realized, the room would no longer be “dark!”

The moment he would step in the “dark” room with the “lighted” candle…
… the room would cease to be “dark!”

Simple though, it took a while for all the audience to acknowledge this fact…
… and soon enough, there was a round of applause for the speaker!

Did this task set our minds also rolling to think?
(Perhaps, some of us are still shaking our heads, and saying, “How’s that possible?!)

Well… this is the fact, isn’t it!

When there is light, darkness can no longer exist!

If we carry a “lighted” candle…
… we will realize that it will be impossible to get trapped in a “dark” room!

And so it is said, “With one candle you can bring light to a dark room, but you can never bring darkness in a well lit room.”

As Christians, are we ready to shine as lights of goodness, so as to dispel every darkness of evil?

The Gospel of the Day presents a reflective discourse by Jesus, on the aspect of light, with respect to two persons…
… John as bringing the light of Christ to the world
… Jesus as bringing the light of the Father to the world

Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus says:
“John was a lamp that burned and gave light…” (Jn 5: 35)

Speaking of Himself, Jesus says:
“… the very works that I am doing, testify that the Father has sent me” (Jn 5:36b)

John the Baptist and Jesus shone as lamps, casting off the darkness…
… the works of John the Baptist, reflecting Jesus, the Messiah!
… the works of Jesus, reflecting God, the Father!

The works of John reflected the light of Christ, and would invite the people…
… to open their hearts, by calling them to repentance
… to live a life warranted by God, by challenging them to get out of their comfort mode
… to realize that no sin is accepted, by clinging on to the Kingdom Principles even at the cost of one’s life

The works of Jesus reflected the light of the Father, and would invite the people…
… to offer their lives to the Father, by showing them His Love and Mercy
… to live a life doing the Will of the Father, by being firm on the path of truth
… to remain in the Providence of the Father, by depending on Him at all times

As Christians, each of us are invited and exhorted to live a “life of light”…
… just as John the Baptist!
… just as Jesus!

We are just a few days away from the celebration of the Great Feast of Christmas…
… the Feast when we celebrate the Birth of the ‘Light of the World’

What efforts are we making, so that we become better “reflectors” of this Light of the World?

The celebration of Christmas is preceded by the Season of Advent – a Season that the Church, in Her wisdom, has given us…
… to make an honest examination of our lives and check the weak areas in which we sin
… to take practical steps in order to keep away from sin and do His Will always
… to rejoice, knowing that the Lord is with me to help at my every effort

Let us make use of each day of this Season of Advent….
… To recognize the areas of sin in our life
… To root out these sinful tendencies

Let us know for sure that when the Light of Christ comes into our lives…
… no trace of darkness of sin, will be able to stand in His Presence!

Yes, when there is light, darkness can no longer exist!

Let us carry the Lighted Candle and burn with God’s Love…
… and then we will realize that it will be impossible to get trapped in the “dark” room of sin!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT OF RECONCILLIATION

Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts…
… and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them.

In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication. (CCC # 1463)