A Genuine Call to live in the Light of Christ

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Fourth Week: Sunday

*GOSPEL - John 3:14-21*

*First Reading - 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23*

*SECOND READING Eph 2:4-10*

*A Genuine Call to live in the Light of Christ*

*1) Jesus is the Light of the World*

In the Gospel of John, Jesus clearly says that *I am the light of the World* John 8:12

This light came into this world. The Gospel of the day says *The light came into the world*

Jesus the light came into this world, inorder to illumine our life and this entire world

Jesus gives us a genuine call to come into in this light and to live our life in and through this light

*2) Various forms of JESUS THE LIGHT*

From the public ministry of Jesus we can get the following forms of Jesus' Light 

*A) Forgiveness*

Forgiveness is one of the first and important forms of Jesus' Light.

Infact Jesus starts His ministry with this particular concept *Repent*

So one who lives in the spirit of  forgiveness lives in the light of Jesus

*B) Cross*

The light which came from the Cross of Jesus liberated human beings from the darkness of Sin, shame and bondage of Satan 

The Cross of Jesus gives us a special light to face the darkness of our life, which come in various forms like, pride, jealousy, revenge, anger, selfishness etc. 

One who lives in the light of the Cross of Jesus, can face any challenges of Life 

*C) Word of God*

This is another power instrument of Jesus' Light. 

*Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.* Psalm 119:105

One who walks in the light of the Word of God will never walk in the darkness

*D) Service - Washing of the feet*

This is what Jesus did at the Last Supper

By serving and by washing feet, one can bring more light into this world and also to another's life 

Mother Theresa brought Christ's Light to the life of million of people through the Service 

One who is involved in doing service for the sake of Jesus is always in the presence of the Light of Jesus 

*E) Eucharist*

Eucharist is the highest form of Jesus' Light for the entire Humanity 

The light of Eucharist makes us spiritually rich and our life become more pure and holy 

The Light of Eucharist shows us the greater realities of Eternal life and also the purpose of Earthly life 

*F) Prayer*

Jesus always prayed, in the morning, noon and evening,

Prayer was like a great light which illumined the life of Jesus and which made Jesus as the light of the world 

Prayer is one of the most powerful forms of Jesus' Light which shows us the right path and helps us to reach the destiny 

*3) Am I Willing to live in the Light*

Some people are frightened about the light 

They are active only in the dark and darkness 

Because of their deeds almost correspond to the darkness, therefore they prefer darkness than the light 

What about me? Which I prefer? 

*4) We are the Children of Light*

St Paul says that *are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.*

That is why we have the responsibility and the duty to come into the presence of light and to live in it

*5) Am I suffering from any darkness?*

Since today Jesus calls us to live in the presence of light, it is better that we evaluate our own life to see whether we are living in the light or darkness?

If there is some form of darkness, what type of darkness is that? 

Darkness of jealousy, anger, revenge, selfishness, self righteousness, greed, etc 

How can I over come from these forms of darkness? 

*Think of this*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*