In addition to the Spring Passover full moon, the past few mornings there has been a brilliant star low on the Eastern horizon – which a bit of research indicates is probably the planet Venus. As I gaze upon this light in the pre dawn hours of this Holy Week, it stirs my soul to think of Christ and the prophecies regarding him as the Light to the Nations.
In one of his hymns regarding the suffering servant, the Prophet Isaiah writes:
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:1-6)
It is now obvious to believers how this prophecy refers to Christ as the suffering servant through whom God faithfully brought about the salvation that reaches to the ends of the earth, through every generation and time.
Jesus referred to himself as this brilliant Light, claiming to be the Light of the world (John 8:12) when he said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” It is easy to recall how a similar brilliant star revealed to the Wise Men the birth of this King who rested in a manger in Bethlehem. The ‘light’ of Jesus’ voice illuminated the hearts and minds of those who heard and followed him. The ‘light’ of his healing and mercy lifted the lives of those who encountered him.
This Holy Week, we follow Jesus through his own moment of darkness which leads to the brilliant light of Easter.
Dear friends, please make this journey with Jesus, most especially in each of your lives. Additionally, I want to encourage all of us to make this journey sacramentally by attending the Triduum services in one of our many parishes. The Triduum is one celebration which begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper Holy Thursday evening, continues through the Liturgy of Good Friday through Holy Saturday and culminates in the greatest Liturgy of the year with the Easter Vigil.
We may not be able to be eye witnesses to the brilliance of Jesus’ earthly ministry, but he left us the Church – his Church – and the sacraments that we may know him, encounter him and continue to grow in his life and love. Let us celebrate these Holy Days well.
Jesus continues to be the brilliant light to illumine our journey of faith through this world. Let us walk in his light especially in this Holy Week!
Peace!
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