Made for the Light

Readings for Wednesday May 4, 2011

First Reading: Acts 5:17-26
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
Gospel: John 3:16-21


For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. (Jn 3:16-21)

As human beings we can adjust to many different situations for short durations. For example, if you are in the dark for too long, your body will adjust. Your eyes will adjust so that you can see better, you will move around more cautiously, you will rely more on other senses, etc. The fact is that we have the ability to adapt to our environment. Now even though we have this ability to adapt, this does not mean that the environment that we adapt to is the one that we were meant for.

In John's gospel, we read how Christ came into this world so that we might live in the light. He came not to condemn, but to give us new life in Him. Not everyone goes towards the light of Christ though, some stay in the darkness, where they have adjusted to "their environment." It is sad when people choose to live in the darkness; because that is not what we were meant for, we were meant to live a life of love, not a life of sin and evil.

The words of today's gospel are so beautiful and give us so much hope. We must remember that even though we can adjust and live of this world, it is not what we were meant for. We were meant to be of the light of Christ and only live in this world. God created us for more, He created us to live in the light. Today, let us reflect on the words from John's gospel: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." (Jn 3:16)

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for your great love, and for sending your Son so that we might have a way to heaven. Lord, help us to be your vessels in this world, so that your light might shine through us. We pray for all of our priests and religious, that they may be strengthened in their ministries and in their vows. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.