Wednesday, 06 January 2021
All glory to the Light
Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Scripture: “Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice” (Isaiah 60:5)
Reflection: Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, which marks the end of the Christmas season and the start of the liturgical season of Epiphany. At the first Epiphany, Jehovah instructs some shepherds, and some wise men from the east, to go and visit the baby Jesus, who would be proclaimed the Light of the world. In John’s Gospel 1:4-5 we learn, “in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Roman empire ruled what was then considered to be the world. Although there was peace, according to the Romans, (a ‘pax Romana’), it was a period of oppression and darkness for the subjugated peoples. It was in this dark period that the Light of the world arrived, and it was an epiphany or a revelation for these sages of old and for all people, particularly the oppressed. It was the time that the Light had come to relieve the darkness. It was also the beginning of the time of which Isaiah spoke.
Today, Isaiah’s prophetic writing is still relevant and there is no doubt that since The Christ – The Light – came into the world, darkness is under retreat. Sadly, the world today still presents an ugly picture of darkness, suffering and inequality, despite our greater comforts, and general technological advancement. But, thankfully, the spirit of Light and Love is on the march. We see evidence of that Light in the international response to the death of George Floyd. We see evidence of that Light when we “take a knee”, we see evidence of that Light when we stand up for justice and against the corrupt practices of those in authority. and other atrocities. The darkness is being forced back.
His Light has come into the world and continues to grow. Hope is alive and well. Make this Epiphany count. Let us, as people of Light, diligently look for opportunities to share this understanding in real and practical terms with all peoples especially those oppressed and in distress.
Meditation: We are live instruments of God’s Light!
Prayer: May the desire of my heart be such that I may become more and more aware of the Light of the Father, through the Christ, manifesting in me. Amen.
St. Jude’s Church
Stony Hill
Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands
Wednesday, 06 January 2021
