Shining Like Stars

 

 

Opening Scripture:

 

“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,

I have take you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,

a light to the nations,

to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

from the prison those who sit in darkness.

 

- Isaiah 42:6-7

 

 

Reading:       The Creation by James Weldon Johnson

          Click above to listen to the story.  You may want to turn down the lights until you are in complete darkness, if at all possible. Pay special attention to the moment when God creates light.  You can stop the recording at this point, or listen to the end.  When the recording is over, spend a few moments in silence.  Then return here...

            (You can also read the text here.)

  

Reading:       From Pope John Paul II’s Letter to the Youth of the World

            “Dear young people, it is up to you to be the watchmen of the morning (cf. Is 21:11-12) who announce the coming of the sun who is the Risen Christ!

          “The light which Jesus speaks of in the Gospel is the light of faith, God’s free gift, which enlightens the heart and clarifies the mind.  ‘It is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Christ’ (2 Cor 4:6). That is why the words of Jesus explaining his identity and his mission are so important: ‘I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (Jn 8:12).”

 

Reflection:

Take a moment now to reflect about light.  Write down your thoughts on paper...

What is light?

What kinds of light can we be?  (blinding light, weak flame, etc.)

What kind(s) of light can be found in me?  

How can I share my light?

What do I think about all of this?  What thoughts has it inspired?  Have I come to any new awarenesses?

How can I specifically be light for others?  When? Where?  How? 

  

Reconciliation:

          We speak of musicians and actors and call them “stars.”  We do the same with sports celebrities, especially the best player in a particular game.  But in God’s eyes we are all stars, we are all lights.  We may not always be brilliant, our behaviour not always at its best.  Let us take a moment to recognise those times when we have been lacking in love, when we have dimmed our brilliance that comes from the ultimate Star, Jesus.  Let us ask God pardon for this failure to shine.