2ND WEEK OF EASTER

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light.

Think of what it’s like when the sun comes out after a string of gloomy days. You feel a lift in your spirits. You feel more alive, more energetic. The world doesn’t seem like such a bad place after all.

That’s what it can feel like when we come into the presence of the Lord—even on the gloomiest of days!

But the light of Jesus isn’t there just to make us feel happy. It reveals things. If you’ve ever tried to play hide-and-seek outside on a sunny day, then you know how hard it can be to avoid detection. It’s the same way with our sin. Just as the darkness hides things, we try to hide our misdeeds and sinful attitudes. We don’t want them to come into the light.

So think about the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear St. John in today’s Gospel (John 3:16-21) talk about people who “preferred darkness to light” (John 3:20). Do you picture yourself as one of those people, or do you picture someone you know? Most of us tend to overlook ourselves and think of the worst examples of those around us. Anything to keep the light from shining on those things we are trying to hide away!

But even the best of us can struggle with sin. Think of St. John Paul II. He made it a point to go to Confession every week. Most likely this wasn’t because he had a lot of awful things he needed to confess. It’s because he didn’t want to keep his sins hidden in the dark—even the little ones we usually overlook. He wanted to invite Jesus to shine his light on all his sins so that the darkness and gloom surrounding them could be driven away.

If John Paul II could admit his faults, then so can you. Remember, Jesus doesn’t shine his light in your heart to shame and embarrass you. He came so “that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). So let him continue to save you! Let his light offer you a chance to change!

“Jesus, I don’t want to hide my sins from you or from myself. Give me the courage to face them so that I can draw closer to you.”

Acts 5:17-26
Psalm 34:2-9
John 3:16-21

WORD AMONG US