Called to the Light

From Safari….

At times our lives experience dark seasons --- a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, chronic illness, diagnosis of cancer, unemployment, rising costs, shrinking pay checks, or loneliness. During these times it is easy to slip into despair or hopelessness.

Isaiah, writing to a people in darkness, speaks of a light that will transform. By the time of Isaiah, the kingdom of David had been divided into the northern and southern kingdoms. The northern kingdom had already fallen to the Assyrians. Some scholars suggest, Isaiah made this prophecy as a new king was taking his throne in the southern kingdom --- a king who will trust in God, through whom God’s promise of light and rejoicing would be fulfilled.

For the Gospel writer Matthew, Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus’ public ministry signaled the end of the era of darkness and the birth of the new age of the reign of God. He is that hope in times of darkness. Jesus is the light. Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, James and John, and each of us to the ministry of light, to draw others to God. Like the moon which reflects the light of the sun, you and I are to reflect the light of the Son, by lifting others from their despair, hopelessness, or doubt. When you reach out to offer forgiveness rather than revenge, bring a meal to a family going through a difficult time, or listen to the story of a person struggling with hardship --- you are being Christ’s light to another.

One the ministries of light in our parishes are our Catholic Schools. This is Catholic Schools Week. Among the Catholic Community Schools, three schools impact our parishes – St. Francis Xavier, St Katharine Drexel, and Cathedral. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

Our schools have a specific purpose: to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel. As communities of faith, our schools instill in students their destiny to become saints. Academic excellence is the hallmark of Catholic education intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Finally, service is fundamental to Catholic education and the core of Catholic discipleship. Service is intended to help form people who are not only witnesses to Catholic social teaching, but also active participants through social learning. I invite you to check out our schools.

Let us go forth this week, allowing Christ’s light to shine through our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Fr. Ron