Wednesday 19 April, 2023 | Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 33(34):2-9; John 3:16-21 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
As he strove to build a more equal society, struggling against racism, Martin Luther King Jr, said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” The symbolism of darkness and light is deeply embedded in the human experience, and each has been used to express something about good and evil.
In the gospel reading, we witness Nicodemus seeking Jesus under cover of darkness. He wants to keep the encounter secret. As Jesus responds to his searching for the truth, he uses the symbolic experience of darkness in which they stand, drawing Nicodemus from his ignorance and lack of faith to enlightenment. “The man who lives by the truth comes out into the light,” said Jesus. In those words, he is inviting Nicodemus to leave the darkness of fear and ignorance, and to come closer to him.
Martin Luther King recognised the power of light over darkness, the power of love over hate. It is love and light which is at the heart of the Christian Faith. There is still much darkness in the world today, and so much hatred. But like Martin Luther King, we are to fight these not with an equal portion of darkness or hatred but with light and love. “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,” said Jesus, “so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” How can we bring God’s light to a world of darkness? How can we bring God’s love into situations of hatred? How can we dispel fear?
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Mass today (Wednesday 19 April, 2023) is celebrated at St Paul’s Church, Grangetown at 10am and S Mary’s Church at 11am. If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button
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