In the northern hemisphere, the days are growing ever darker as we approach the shortest and darkest day of the year, the winter solstice on December 21. In the world, we are a people that walks in ever-increasing darkness (see Is 9:1).

In the spiritual world, though, we have the light of the Lord (Is 2:5). We prepare during this time of Advent for the coming at Christmas of the Christ-Child. In the world, there is indeed darkness and gloom (Is 9:1), resulting from a world of sin and rebellion against the Lord. For millennia, humanity has rebelled against God. This resulted in a life “without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). But “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:16-17).

Jesus said: “I have come to the world as its light, to keep anyone who believes in Me from remaining in the dark” (Jn 12:46). “No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness” (Jn 8:12). Living for Jesus is the Way to escape a life of darkness (see Jn 14:6). Therefore, pick up your daily cross, follow Jesus, and “walk in the light of the Lord” (Is 2:5).

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.