The Light Shines in the Darkness, and the Darkness Has Not Overcome It
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“Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” Is 35:3-4
It’s easy to take good health for granted. When we’re healthy and strong, we don’t count ourselves among the lame, the blind, the deaf, or the crippled. It doesn’t take but a moment to be reminded of how vulnerable we all are to the same conditions. That moment might come when you slip and fall, twisting an ankle, and find yourself hobbling around instead of striding through your daily chores, or when you lose your reading glasses and struggle to decipher a page of print.
Once, in the space of a few hours, I went from helping lift our 8 foot Christmas tree into the house, to being unable to lift my left arm when I injured my shoulder. I suddenly found myself depending on others for help with the smallest things, from putting on my coat to putting lights on the tree. I was grateful and humbled to have my family step in to take care of everything.
Anyone who has ever experienced the humbling effects of our human weaknesses – which I believe includes us all – should be gladdened by today’s readings. Jesus has come to us for that very reason – because He sees our weakness, knows our needs, and desires our wholeness.
When Jesus is asked by John’s disciples, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" He says in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
What joyful hope! In our weakest and most vulnerable moments, Jesus comes to us with His healing touch, if we just open our hearts and believe in His love for us. When we suffer from sickness, injury, blindness, poverty, deafness, anxiety, or grief, Jesus is close to us, waiting to help us. Are you suffering? Invite Jesus into your life and your heart, and He will help you with every need.
Born and raised in a faithful Catholic family, I wandered far from my faith for nearly two decades. Through the infinite mercy of Christ and His Church, I found my way back home to the Catholic Church in the early 90s, and began a path of rediscovery of the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith, eventually earning a Bachelor's degree in Christian Tradition. A stay-at-home Mom for many years, my Church ministries grew to include teaching Catechism and First Eucharist classes, writing and facilitating retreats for healing after abortion, and becoming active in pro-life work with our local 40 Days for Life campaign in the Tri-Cities, Washington as an organizer, participant, speaker, and writer. My desire to share the greatest gift of my life, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and His Divine Mercy, has found expression in my writing. My articles have been published locally in the Tri-City Herald's Spiritual Life and editorial columns; in the Carmelite Digest; Celebrate Life magazine; and recently in the National Catholic Register.
Links to these articles and more can be found on my blog at http://www.catholicethics.blogspot.com/. My Catholic Ethics page is on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEthics.
