Bearers of divine light

I remind you with St John: Videte qualem caritatem dedit nobis Pater, ut filii Dei nominemur et simus.⁸ We call ourselves, and truly are, children of God, brothers and sisters therefore of the Word made flesh,⁹ of Jesus Christ, about whom it was said: In ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum (John 1:4); in him was life, and this life was the light of men.

Children of the light, brothers and sisters of the light: such we are. Bearers of the only flame that can light up the paths of the earth for souls, of the only brightness which can never be darkened, dimmed or overshadowed.

Et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt (John 1:5). And this light shines in the midst of darkness, and the darkness has not received it. Our Lord continues pouring forth his splendours on mankind: a light that is life and the warmth of mercy, for He is charity, love.¹⁰ After enkindling and filling our souls with the fire of divine light,¹¹ he makes use of us as torches to illumine others, to bring them life.

Responsibility

My daughters and sons, it partly depends on us whether many souls no longer remain in darkness, but begin walking along paths that lead to eternal life. And so, contemplating this immense panorama offered to us by the vocation with which the Lord has graciously wished to honour us, I am reminded of those other words of the Apostle John, which we must repeat to so many people: That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1:3-4).