April 24, 2024, Wed. St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr Read: Acts 12: 24—13: 5 Jn 12: 44-50
“I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46).
We are so used to living in light, night and day, surrounded by light. We probably never think of the possibilities of living in darkness. The very thought of losing our electricity or, even more frightening, our sight, is too much to bear.
The greatest darkness, however, is not a physical darkness; it is a darkness produced by ignorance and sin.
The most brilliant light for the mind and spirit is God Himself. “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.”
The marvelous description of Jesus’ importance in our lives can be summed up in that He dissipates the darkness of our mind, heart, and spirit.
It is easy to convince ourselves
that we will be judged worthy of a great and eternal destiny in the Light. Such a destiny would be a sublime and wonderful eternity — basking in His Light and His Love.
Yet we must be judged worthy through our obedience to His plan, charity, mercy, and love.
Now we stumble about in the blurry reality of our world darkened by sin and selfishness.
“Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day” (Jn 12:48).
Reflection and commentary
Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?” St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, O.F.M. Cap., Priest and Martyr, d.1622, Major figure in the Counter-Reformation, and was murdered by his opponents at Seewis im Prättigau, Switzerland.
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