Jesus is Our Light in the Dark

Gospel Reflection for January 6, 2025

“When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles,

the people who sit in darkness

have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death

light has arisen.’

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.” (Mt. 4:12-17, 23-25 NABRE)

Today’s Gospel passages call us to remember that amidst the darkness, chaos, worries, uncertainties, or troubles that occur in our lives, Jesus is present and here for us. When our lives are overshadowed by sin, sadness, stress, illness, pain, heartache, or whatever it might be, we need only look to Jesus and He will cast His light upon us and wrap us in His peace and comfort.

Sometimes when we pray for freedom from the troubles that we face, we may feel confused and upset when our prayers seem to go unheard. We may feel alone, stressed, heartbroken, and lost. Yet, we must remember that Jesus is right in the storm with us. He is there to support, guide, strengthen, and comfort us.

Our Lord may not stop the storm or answer our prayers in the way we ask Him to. However, this does NOT lessen His presence in our lives. Jesus is with us always, and He calls us to look to Him and to trust Him with what’s happening in our lives. Though we may want things to go a certain way, our Lord is the One Who’s in control, and we are called to trust His will, even when we don’t always understand.

Our Lord may indeed answer prayers just as we desire them to be answered. This happens all the time!! Yet, when this does not occur, and the darkness we face lingers, we must trust in Jesus and look to Him for help in bearing the weight of our crosses. Jesus is present and here for us. He is our light in the darkness.

“The people who sit in darkness

have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death

light has arisen.” (Mt. 4:16)