Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
While in a session with a client earlier in the week, a fuse blew and the office suddenly went completely dark. Since I don’t have windows in my office and the door was closed and neither my client nor I were using our cell phones (I didn’t even have mine in my pocket), it really was pitch black for several seconds (and felt more like several minutes). It was surprising and a little disorienting as we began to process what was happening and thought to reach for our phones before noticing a little crack of light coming in from under the door. This experience of unexpected total darkness reminded me of how much I rely on light and the sense of sight. Similarly, with the decreasing daylight as we draw closer to the winter solstice, the absence of light seems to increase my longing for it.
Today’s readings speak of darkness and light, blindness and sight. First in Isaiah, “And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” (29:18b) Then the gospel antiphon proclaims, “Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” Followed by the gospel reading from Matthew (9:27-31) in which we hear that two blind men’s eyes “were opened” by Jesus according to their faith. The Responsorial Psalm (27) brings it all together with, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
As this first week of Advent comes to a close, some questions come to mind. Am I closer to welcoming the light of Christ into my life to illuminate the places of gloom and darkness? What are those places that need Christ’s light? Am I afraid of that light? Am I lacking faith or tempted to give in to despair?
As today’s psalm encourages, let us “Wait for the Lord with courage, be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.” With patient anticipation and the faith of the blind men, let us pray for one another as we continue to prepare our hearts and souls for the One who dispels all darkness and gloom.
Christ be our light. Amen.
~Eileen Miller