night-light?
"No sooner had Judas eaten the morsel than he went out. It was night." —John 13:30
Jesus died during a darkening of the sun (Mk 15:33). Jesus died when midafternoon seemed like midnight. He died because of the night of our sins which the prince of darkness (see Eph 6:12) used to crucify the Light of the world (see Jn 8:12). When we betray, deny, ignore, or disobey Jesus, we turn out our light and enter into the night (Jn 3:19ff). However, when we repent, give ourselves totally to Jesus, and live our Baptisms, we too are the light of the world (Mt 5:14). Even we, who were darkness, are now light in the Lord (Eph 5:8).
In four days, at Easter Vigil, after it is dark, we will enter a dark church led by the light of the Paschal candle. Because this light pierces the darkness of sin, death, and Satan, at Easter Vigil we will proclaim the light of Christ and exult in thanksgiving for Jesus, the Light of life (Jn 8:12). For those in Christ, "the Light shines on in darkness, a darkness that did not overcome It" (Jn 1:5). "The night shall be no more" (Rv 22:5).
Prayer: Father, may my baptismal light be so bright as to pierce the darkness.
Promise: "I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." —Is 49:6
Praise: After three years in a Bible study, Carolyn was confirmed and received First Communion at Easter.
Reference: (Are you called to be a light to the world by reading the Bible every day? We have several tape series that may help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-Minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is thirty-two audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or seventeen video tapes starting with V-21.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 18, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2001