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J.M.J.
December 21, 2012
Dear Family of Mary!
O Dayspring, brightness of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. (Traditional "O" Antiphon)
"Dear children! In this time of spring, when everything is awakening from the winter sleep, you also awaken your souls with prayer so that they may be ready to receive the light of the risen Jesus. Little children, may He draw you closer to His Heart so that you may become open to eternal life. I pray for you and intercede before the Most High for your sincere conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call." (March 25, 2009)
It isn't spring right now, in fact for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere it is the dead of winter. This is December 21, the first day of winter. The earth is at such an angle right now, that the sun rises very late and sets very early, making it the shortest day of the year, the darkest day of the year for us in the north.
Isn't it fitting that the Church decided to recite this "O" Antiphon on exactly this day! The darkest day for us northerners is the day that we call out to Jesus: "O Dayspring, brightness of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.!!" Jesus is the Light that dispels the darkness, the Light that pierces the darkness of death with its power of life. ( I am sure those of you in the southern hemisphere have the same spiritual darkness we have, even though you are enjoying the sun right now!)
Again I am reminded of my experience at Holy Mass the other day, when I realized that evil (darkness) exists, in me and all around me, but I received the grace to know that I don't have to succumb to it. I can call on Jesus, and He will send His Light to me, His Light that overcomes the darkness. When I had that word of knowledge, I actually experienced the Light of Jesus piercing the darkness for me. I was not alone in the dark. Christ was with me to overcome it. We can call on the Lord and He will come as Light!
Jesus called Himself the "Light" in John's Gospel: "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (Jn 8:12)
Our Lady tells us to pray, to awaken from sleep and pray so that we will be ready to receive the Light of Christ when He comes to us. Truly, it is prayer that predisposes us to receive God's Light. Prayer awakens our desire for God. Prayer opens our hearts to God. Prayer calls God down into our hearts. Through prayer we can receive the Light and follow it.
Like the earth, we may find ourselves in deep darkness right now. Maybe we have been suffering, or working too much, or maybe we have wandered from prayer. If we are at our darkest moment, we should not fear. Didn't the Christ Child come into the world at the darkest of moments? Doesn't it seem that He wants to enter our lives, at the darkest of moments, to save us? He is not daunted by our darkness. He can only be daunted by our closed hearts. So, let's heed Our Lady, open our hearts through prayer, and receive the Light that has been sent to save us!
Come, Lord Jesus!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2012
PS. Wasn't Vicka wonderful last night in her talk to us! She spoke to us directly, promising to pray for all of us who watch Mary TV! You can see her talk on our home page, www.marytv.tv in Fruit of Medjugorje. It was a special Christmas Gift for us all. I may continue the reflections on Saturday and Sunday, to prepare for Christmas. God bless all of you!!
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