Friars Corner: Glowing in the Light of Jesus

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Psalms 137:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21

When we see a word or phrase in the Bible, we cannot gear our life around that one word or phrase. When God speaks and guides us, he tends to tell us in many places through various people. In the Bible, the word light is found 77 times. In the New Testament, it is found 44 times. It points out Jesus Christ as the light of God sent into the world to bring us out of darkness, confusion and death into God’s kingdom of light, peace and joy, to have a successful life.

In the four Gospels, Jesus as the Light is mentioned many times. In Matthew, Jesus as Light is mentioned six times, in Mark only once, in Luke three times and in John 13 times. John tells us in Revelation that in heaven there is no darkness. The glory of God (the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is its light. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Amen.

St. John says in today’s section, 3:14-21 that we are saved by believing in Jesus. However, just knowing that he existed and died on the cross in Jerusalem and rose from the dead is not enough. We are called to believe in Jesus, be baptized to be part of his new kingdom and follow him. That means living the way Jesus wants us to live producing his good fruit in our daily lives. He wants us to be his shining lights in a dark world, to be his torches.

Point your satellite dish toward Jesus

How do we receive more of Christ’s Light? I like to think of modern images. We could turn our satellite dish toward Jesus or the Holy Spirit and tune in the God channel to receive their messages of love and Light.

We could take some of our 24 hours of life each day to spend some time talking and listening to God in prayer. We could read about Jesus in the four gospel stories. We could ask Jesus, as our Good Shepherd, hold us close to his heart.

We could attend some daily Masses to receive his “daily bread.” Jesus is our special food. It is our daily miracle and the best meal on earth. We could pray some Chaplets of Divine Mercy or a rosary or two. We could ask Jesus to lift the lid up from the “fountain of living water” placed in us at our baptism, John 4:10. Thus we get filled up with more of God’s power.

More God power

All of these simple things do not take much time and we are receiving more of God’s power to be brighter lights, even torches, of God in the world. We will be glowing more with his love and light. This does bring us more of his joy, peace and healing.

I could go on and on about various sections of these four readings today. I want you to get closer to Jesus and be filled with more of his love, peace and great joy. There is a great delight in getting closer to Jesus.

Radiate God’s love

The brighter our Christ light becomes it radiates more of God’s love in the world, dispelling some of the darkness. Those around us begin to ask, what is different about us? What have we found that makes us enjoy life more? Why? Because we are following behind Jesus, who is our true light. Amen.

Try him, he loves you more than we could ever love him. You will begin to love him more and more. Have a glowing week for God’s kingdom. Join me as a torch for Jesus.

On Saturday, March 17, for all of you on St. Patrick’s Day, here is more than the “luck of the Irish.” We pray in Jesus’ Name:

May God in his wisdom and infinite love
set you on fire from heaven above.
May he send you good fortune, contentment and peace.
And may all your blessings forever increase.

• Fr. Bob Hilz
  (© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)