7th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Dec 31

Gospel: Jn 1:1-18

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

As we enter into the new year, it can be very difficult to believe that the darkness has not overcome the light. Time and time again this year we saw policies being enacted that crushed the light of hope in so many people. I have questioned many times the existence of this God who is supposed to shine in the darkness. It feels like that assignment has not been understood. I realized that with this attitude, I would be considered in the camp of people who would not have received Christ when he came to earth.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— “ John 1:12

Maybe to become Children of God means to have hope that there is light. Maybe to be Children of God, we don’t have to strain ourselves to be convinced that every theological point is exactly true, but rather we just need to believe that there is light in the darkness. What other option do we have? Not believing, and allowing ourselves to plummet into despair? I do not think that’s a life any of us want.

So, my friends, no matter how delusional it feels, let’s choose to believe that the light will overcome the darkness.