The people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light

Gospel : Matthew 4: 12 - 23

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caper'na-um by the sea, in the territory of Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

"The land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

Reflection
Have you passed your exams?

We can never appreciate the true joy of success and victory if we did not work hard to achieve them nor pass through its tests and challenges. This is the essence of God's light that shines upon men.

I can never forget the year when I declared that "God is my Light!". At the start of the year, I was very hopeful in looking forward for brighter days ahead since light is synonymous with brightness. It turned out that in the first month, I got hospitalized where my wife spent her birthday taking care of me. In the fourth month, my mom who lives with us suffered a stroke that eventually led to her demise. On the seventh month, we lost our home and was forced to move out and transfer. All these events that have brought forth pain, agony, misery, and suffering came to pass in a single year. 

It was a year of darkness which the Lord has set so that I may fully experience His Light. When night falls, always expect that soon after, the Light of God shall again shine to bring a fresh and new beginning.

Passing through a test gives you the measure on how much you have learned from what you have gone through.

Prayer

Father in heaven, your light shall forever shine in me!

In everything that happens in my life, I give you thanks. In all my success and victories, I bring you back all the glory and praise. I fear no darkness nor evil for you are always with me. In your light that guides my path comes the succesful achivement of all my desires for prosperity and abundance.

May the light and love of your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continues to dwell in my heart for it is only thorugh Him that all things were made possible for me.

All these I pray, in Jesus Name. Amen.