The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Wednesday, 29 April 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Wednesday, 29 April 2015

Meditation: John 12:44 Yeshua declared publicly, “Those who put their trust in me are trusting not merely in me, but in the One who sent me. 45 Also those who see me see the One who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who trusts in me might not remain in the dark. 47 If anyone hears what I am saying and does not observe it, I don’t judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 Those who reject me and don’t accept what I say have a judge — the word which I have spoken will judge them on the Last Day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has given me a command, namely, what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know that his command is eternal life. So what I say is simply what the Father has told me to say.”
Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. (John 12:47)
When you think of someone being condemned, what image comes to mind? A courtroom with a judge hammering his gavel? A stern jury? A pointing finger?
How about a flashlight? If you were trying to hide something, a flashlight would be very good for exposing whatever you were doing. You’d shrink back from it because it condemns you. If you were lost in the woods in the darkness, the flashlight would light the way back to the path, and you’d see its shining beam as your freedom.
Jesus said he came into the world as light. He came to shine his word and his truth into our hearts. But just like the flashlight, Jesus’ light can elicit different reactions, depending on our disposition. If we are open to him and trying to follow him, his light can bring us warmth and insight. It can illuminate our path, correct our missteps, and bring us closer to the salvation we are longing for. But if we are opposed to him, that very same light can feel cold and embarrassing. We might scramble to stay hidden from the light, only showing by our actions that we are rejecting Jesus. In both cases, it’s our own relationship to the Lord and his truth that either saves us or condemns us.
What is one of the best ways to experience the warmth of Jesus’ light? In the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Far from being a means of condemning us, Reconciliation is the perfect way to let the light of Christ probe and illuminate our hearts. Will there be areas that you don’t want to bring into the light? Probably. But remember, he didn’t come to condemn—only to save. So even when he brings your sin to light, remember that his light shines only to heal and restore, not to judge and dismiss.
So let the light shine on you today! Let Jesus’ word pierce your heart and illuminate every corner of your life. Trust that he’s not out to get you. He wants to help you. He wants to save you and reunite you to himself. Let him draw you home.
“Lord Jesus, help me not to shrink from your light. I believe you came not to condemn me, but to save me!” Amen!
Acts 12:24 But the word of the Lord went on growing and being multiplied.

25 Bar-Nabba and Sha’ul, having completed their errand, returned from Yerushalayim, bringing with them Yochanan, surnamed Mark.

13:1 In the Antioch congregation were prophets and teachers — Bar-Nabba, Shim‘on (known as “the Black”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Menachem (who had been brought up with Herod the governor) and Sha’ul. 2 One time when they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Ruach HaKodesh said to them, “Set aside for me Bar-Nabba and Sha’ul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 After fasting and praying, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So these two, after they had been sent out by the Ruach HaKodesh, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. 5 After landing in Salamis, they began proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues, with Yochanan (Mark) as an assistant;

Psalm 67:2 (1) God, be gracious to us, and bless us.

May he make his face shine toward us, (Selah)

3 (2) so that your way may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.

5 (4) Let the nations be glad and shout for joy,

for you will judge the peoples fairly

and guide the nations on earth. (Selah)

6 (5) Let the peoples give thanks to you, God;

let the peoples give thanks to you, all of them.

8 (7) May God continue to bless us,

so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

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