Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

Faith is not simple. Often it is difficult and sometimes bewildering to live daily the way of Jesus. But then is that difficulty not the reason for us to spend time each day reflecting on Jesus’ words in an atmosphere of invitation and friendship?   Throughout history we have been faced with all kinds of sin: dishonesty, prejudice in every genre, the glamor of “more” when the gospel calls for “less.”  Historian, Diana Butler, tells us “To believe is not to hold an opinion. To believe is to treasure. To deem something precious and invaluable. To give my heart over to it without reservation.” Yes, Jesus is coaching us, drawing us, demanding us into a life of faith in God. He tells us that through his Resurrection he has converted darkness into light…..But then he says that people prefer darkness to light!



    In today’s gospel Jesus counsels us to convert our darkness of doubt into the light of faith. God always invites us to a transformation of ourselves. This transformation begins with God drawing us out of our comfort zones. Since my recent move to a new town and apartment, I am trying to navigate bus timetables, new routes, and those Jersey U-turns!  Although these are minor situations, they prepare us for greater suffering. Yes, God has invited me out of my comfort zone to a greater dependence on the Divine and on my intelligence. Relying on the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, I understand the apostles following Jesus’ teaching through verbal condemnation and a jail sentence. Yet, we can review history through the centuries and see how people responded to God through social, emotional, and verbal abuse. Martyrs through the centuries, as well as our contemporaries, struggle and suffer to bring justice and peace into our daily living. Yes, this is our call: to bring light into our darkness; to bridge peace in our families, neighborhoods, and work places; to speak out against injustices. Oh, yes, all this will catapult us out of our comfort zones. But we will fall into the arms of God who will embrace us and all who seek the light out of darkness.



When day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.

The new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it,

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

                                                                                                     --Amanda Gorman