Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

A Great Light

“The people…have seen a great light.” Isaiah 9:1

What does this mean to us today? We hear it in church; we read it in our Bibles or daily devotionals. But what does it mean? This ancient prophecy by Isaiah meant one thing to the people who heard it or read it the first time. But what has it meant to the People of God since then?

One notable interpretation is captured in today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew. When Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, “in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,” Matthew likens it to the movement of a great light shining upon those who sit in darkness and in a land of death and gloom. Jesus Christ is the Great Light.

Isaiah’s prophetic imagery captured Matthew’s poetic imagination. How does it capture yours?

I see a great light rising from behind majestic mountains in the twilight, and watching it proceed across the heavens, like a great procession among the stars on a cold, clear night. Jesus Christ is a full moon that I have seen in a big open sky while camping out or driving along. What do you see?

We can all have an image in our minds of a great light. Perhaps it is a memory, a picture, or a painting. Our “mental imagery” is important in our faith life and unique to our experience and current state of mind. Perhaps you think of that relaxing time on the beach in the sun. Or maybe you’ve seen a religious painting or a sacred icon. Or maybe you think of that near car wreck with the great light of oncoming headlights. Jesus Christ is the Great Light that woke you up.

Seeing a great light or imagining one is an image everyone can relate to. This I suppose is how we can evangelize, by capturing hearts through beauty and imagination. This is how we can talk to people about Jesus Christ—to those who have never heard or read Isaiah’s prophecy or Matthew’s poetry. “Imagine a great light…”

For Today: I challenge you—I challenge myself—to start a conversation with a friend who does not know Jesus Christ or believe in him. Ask your friend, “How do you imagine Jesus Christ? What do you take him to be like?” Through our charity and honest, open dialogue, we can help bring people (back) to the Church, to the truth, beauty, and goodness of God.

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB