Where Do Sins Go?
Bright As Night
Photo By: Flickr/Jon Olav Eikenes
The ancient Celts recognized only two seasons in the year - light and dark - somewhat like Eskimos above the Arctic circle with "midnight sun" in summer and long dark days in the winter.
In the spiritual life there are likewise only two seasons - light and darkness. Paul writes of both day and night in the same sentence to counterpoint the difference between spiritual enlightenment by faith in Jesus and the spiritual darkness that envelops those refusing to believe in him. for those not living with the Lord, even "the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thes 5:2).
As if consoling children afraid of the dark, Paul reminded the Thessalonians - whom he had complimented on their vibrant faith, hope, and love (1:3) - that those very virtues were a sign that they "belong to the day" (5:8): "You...are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and..of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us be alert...For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation" (5:4-6, 9).
Thus, if we are truly "children of light, we need not fear the darkness of God's wrath in the coming day of the Lord.
This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
