“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.” This is how the Gospel of this Sunday describes the impact of Jesus’ ministry. That light shines on us as well whenever we gather in the Lord’s name. Light is a source of great joy. Coming from Africa, where in some places even in the twenty-first century there is still no stable electricity, the arrival of electricity transforms life in a joyful and profound way.
In the same way, Matthew compares the arrival of Jesus to the coming of a great light upon a people who had lived in deep darkness. He sees Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah
proclaimed in the first reading: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” Jesus himself describes his
mission in similar terms when he says, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), revealing who he is and what he does for humanity. Light symbolizes God’s presence, truth, and glory. By
using this image, Jesus identifies himself with God’s own saving presence among his people.
Jesus is the light that overcomes the darkness of sin, ignorance, evil, and death. He declares that he is the light that dispels darkness, bringing freedom, forgiveness, and new life. Light also
enables people to see clearly. Jesus reveals the truth about God, about ourselves, and about the path that leads to life. Through his teaching and example, he shows us how to live according to
God’s will. His teaching truly became a source of light for all who accepted him.
There are many examples in the Gospel of how Jesus brought light and rejected darkness. In the Gospel of Matthew, he teaches us to love our enemies: “Love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). In doing so, he rejects the darkness of revenge that had prevailed for a long time and brings instead the light of forgiveness and reconciliation. He leads
the repentant thief out of the darkness of hopelessness into the light of heaven itself. By rising from the dead, Jesus scatters the darkness of death and promises those who follow him that they
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Jesus begins his ministry by calling people to repentance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” To repent is to acknowledge our darkness and to open ourselves to the light. The light
of Jesus did not come to judge us, but to save us, to show us how to live and to lead us to the Father’s Kingdom. Each follower of Jesus is called to be a source of light in a darkened world.
Let us remember that there is great joy in living in the light, and even greater joy in becoming a light for others.
Scripture Readings:
Is 8:23–9:3 • 1Cor 1:10–13,17 • Mt 4:12–23