Live in the Light!

FR. TOM'S HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, November 27, 2022:

“Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” These words that we heard from Isaiah today form a theme to all our readings today – the light that conquers the darkness – and they are words that speak to us in a profound way at this time of year. As the sun sets just after 4 p.m., we can feel the darkness overtaking us. The days get darker, the nights get longer, and the more we recognize our need for light.

Light is life. Just think about the ways we need light in almost every aspect of our life. We need light for our physical health. Without light, we would have no food. Light grows the plants which feed and nourish us. Light provides warmth and heat. Without light the world grows cold. In fact, the coldest places are the places where light is most absent. We need light for our emotional health. At this time of year, the lack of light can make people feel depressed. We need the light of day.

On the flipside, the presence of light can fill us with hope and joy. And so we search out Christmas lights and decorate our homes during this dark time of year. Light also makes us feel safer. A gloomy alley or unlit street can feel unsafe. Entering a dark house can seem spooky. Late at night in the dark when you’re trying to sleep, problems can seem larger than life. In the light of day, they always seem smaller.

We also need light for our minds. When you are in a room that is properly illuminated you can move with confidence and ease. You know where you are going. When we’re in the dark we stumble around unsure of our steps and what might be ahead. When you are in the dark, life is no fun. And even worse is living in the dark. It is no fun being in the dark about your career or your family or your finances. Light shows us the way forward.

We know that our hearts can be dark too. We need light to shine on those dark places where we hold pride and greed and selfishness and envy and other things. It’s no fun to be caught in the darkness of sin. Sin grows in the dark but when light shines upon them they dissipate, they disappear like fog in the sunlight. Light is essential for our souls. The whole story of our salvation begins in Genesis with light. “God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light. And God saw the light was good.” Light is the starting point of creation. Life needs light.

This Advent we hear from the prophet Isaiah, the prophet who most explicitly points to the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah lived at a dark time in the history of Israel. The nation was divided, under attack from hostile neighbors and economically crippled. Leadership was corrupt and self-serving, the culture was amoral and increasingly godless. God had established Israel to be a “light to the nations” and so Israel’s corruption was like a descent into darkness. Far from showing others the way, they had lost their own way and fallen into darkness. Isaiah points out that darkness, but then looks forward to a brighter future. As we heard, “In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the highest mountain and raised above the hills…come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

Isaiah paints a picture of this enlightened future so that the people can choose to be a part of God’s plan. He said, “[God] shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another.”

You see the Light of the Lord also brings peace. People are no longer fighting. Swords, used to wage war will be refashioned for peace. Instead of bloodshed, light brings life and growth. It’s a better way to live. And so Isaiah calls the people to action, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” And, the prophet call us too today to leave behind our own darkness and walk in the light of the Lord.

So how do we do it? I think there are two things that we can do to invite the Light of the Lord into our lives this Advent. First, we must listen to the Lord, like Isaiah did and let the light of God’s Word enlighten our daily life. So, for this Advent, I want to encourage you to spend some time with Scripture. If you usually do nothing, set aside 5 minutes a day. If you’re already doing 5 minutes, try 10. Between now and Christmas add 5 minutes with Scripture to your day. It will change everything.

And, it is not as daunting as it may seem. We’re not talking about reading the whole Bible cover-to-cover. Instead, just spend some time with the Bible in very small segments. Read a few pages or a few paragraphs or even a few sentences. Read them slowly so God can truly speak to you. God’s word helps us to understand our purpose and what this world is all about. Life comes into focus, our path becomes clearer. God wants to enlighten you. But, that only happens if you open the Book! Your job is to give God space and time to talk to you.

The second way to walk in the light is by actively pursuing peace this Advent and maybe that means setting aside your own swords. This is the season of peace and good will; of people coming together to learn from God while encouraging each other in holiness. And, we can’t encourage when we are fighting. So, what sword are you clutching ready for battle? Is there someone in your life that you are fighting with? Maybe they let you down, or didn’t show up; they somehow messed up, said something cruel; or they owe you? Maybe it’s a fight in your marriage or with one of your siblings, or your parents. Maybe it’s a friend and maybe you’re both are at fault. You both have your swords drawn and so the question is who will put down their sword first; who will drop the weapon and start sowing seeds of peace? Here’s the thing, it is usually the more mature person, the healthier person who makes the first move. Why not be that person this Advent?

As St. Paul said in our second reading, “Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day.” My friends, our world can often seem dark. This darkness can fill our minds and our hearts. But God’s invitation for us is to leave the darkness and walk in His light. He invites us to walk in His ways, in His peace and in His truth. There is no life without light and there is no light without God. Let us find some time to be with God this Advent; and let us seek the ways of peace together. Let us conduct ourselves as in the day.

May the Lord give you His light and His peace.

*This homily is based on the preaching series, "Let there Be Light" from Rebuilt Parish.

---