By: Mother Gloria Therese, O.C.D.
“The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.” John 1:9
Many of our sisters love to hike in the San Gabriel Mountains and there is one particular hike that we take in the summer or early fall which spans the entire day. One year we took this hike later in the season and figured with our pace, we would be down the mountain before sunset. However, our calculations were off by thirty minutes. We ended up hiking down a pitch-black mountain. Darkness surrounded us on every narrow side. What “saved” us was each sister’s flashlight that shined enough light in front of us and all around us to safely and successfully maneuver us off that dangerous path!
Thanks be to God a New Year is upon us! 2021. We look with hope at the new horizons awaiting us. Yet, we are also aware of the slippery slopes surrounding us leading to darkness.
The Christmas season which leads us right into the unknown new year is filled with promises of Light. At Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the scripture prophecy of Isaiah is read and reveals Christ our light, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown,” Is. 9:1. In John 9: 5, Jesus clearly reveals Himself as the fulfillment, “I am the light of the world” and before healing a blind man Jesus promises, “I am the Light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
We have known a land of gloom in our 2020 pandemic. Yet, Christ who is our Light has been with us in our struggles, fears, sorrows and discouragement. We may not have felt Him or seen Him, yet in faith we know that He has been working mightily on our behalf. We have seen Him in His followers who have the light of life: “You are the light of the world…” Mt. 5:16.
More than ever, we have an opportunity to be like those sisters on that mountain. May you receive the Light of Christ, bear the Light of Christ, become the Light of Christ and bring the Light of Christ and shine brightly upon this world. Not alone and isolated in 2021, but with others on this path of life. Let’s unite and mobilize the light within us that is Christ and see that a land of gloom has the great potential for Christ to shine brightly in the hearts of all those who believe.
A Blessed New Year to you and all your loved ones!
Mother Gloria Therese, O.C.D.
