Is Jesus Your Light?

April 4, Monday, 5th Week of Lent
Daniel 13:41c-62, Gospel John 8:12-20

Passing judgment on anyone seems to be the favorite pastime of many people. Why is it so? A browse through social media like Twitter and Facebook shows how people fight and judge each other. We are like the Pharisees of old.

The gospel tells us that when the Pharisees refused to accept Jesus and rejected his teachings, they left the light. They wallowed in darkness, and their vision was clouded by unbelief. In this world where personal choices and wants are given much importance, Jesus is set aside, and faith is reduced to "feel good" rituals. It’s the same as how most people behave today.

There is a great danger when the self becomes the point of reference, when "what can I get from it" becomes the basis of hard work. Anyone outside or against it is subjected to one’s severe judgment if this is the case. When Jesus and his teachings are considered irrelevant and impractical, people are transformed into beasts looking out to consume and devour anyone who blocks their way. This is the rule of the world of darkness.

The Good News is that God sends people like Daniel to spark the light of goodness within us in situations like these. We only have to constantly remind ourselves that "even though we walk in the dark valley, we fear no evil; for God is at our side" (Psalm 23). The gospel assures us that we have a father in heaven. We just have to keep our hearts open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who will always lead us to the light no matter the darkness we experience in this world.

If we allow Jesus to be our light, we see beauty in others, hope in the most challenging situations, and peace amidst the chaos. Thus, we do not become judges like the Pharisees; instead, we become evangelizers of light like Daniel and the prophets.