My light and my salvation

I’ve always found mid-January to early February to be a time of hope and anticipation. As the tilt of the earth begins to favor the northern hemisphere, the rays of dawn and the evening sunset start to separate a little more each day, sharing sunlight and bringing greater warmth to the land. Psalm 19:1 gives meaning to this by declaring that “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” And, in another psalm, the Scriptures reveal that “the Lord is my light and my salvation” (Ps. 27).

 

The scriptures use many images to convey the mysteries of our salvation: marriage, water, fire, shepherd, and the cross. Among these, light is one of the least tangible. Light is invisible when it is in transit. It only becomes visible when it strikes an object. Light provides warmth to what it touches and also helps us navigate the world around us, avoiding dangers and gaining clarity about God’s creation and the people nearby.

 

A 17th-century philosopher, René Descartes, began to question the world around him. He noticed that some experiential knowledge didn’t make sense. For example, as one pokes a stick into the water, our eyes tell us that it is no longer straight. Modern science can now explain this. However, Descartes wrongly concluded that we cannot trust our senses, only our inner consciousness. This idea is captured in his timeless phrase “I think, therefore I am.” The impact of this dangerous statement has, over the centuries, developed into a desire to emphasize one’s religious experiences over revealed truth. How does this look in our daily lives? Is the importance I place on having God in my life and knowing who He is based solely on my experiences? Or is my understanding of God guided by the revelation given to us through Jesus Christ?

 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.” These words assure us that the Lord always provides clarity of vision regarding things not visible to the naked eye. This clarity of vision primarily comes through the scriptures and the teachings of the Church. Christ’s teachings offer light and guidance, helping us avoid difficulties, recognize graces and blessings, and know how we are to live. There may be dark times in life when the light of truth challenges us and becomes hard to follow. The three Magi would have had to travel by night. They show us that although the walk of faith may be difficult at times, the faithful will always reach the Divine One. 

 

There is a long tradition of placing stained glass windows in church buildings. The theology behind this is often more than just artistic design. The sunlight passing through stained glass windows represents divine grace, with the colored, shifting light representing God’s presence, the illumination of truth, and the transformation of the soul. In a sense, the sun represents the Son of God, whose “light of grace” helps enlighten worshippers, with the vivid colors changing dark interiors into spiritual, heavenly spaces.

 

Each of us knows someone who exudes grace beyond the rest of us. Their lives are guided by God’s revelation, a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a livelihood that demonstrates a grace-filled life to everyone around them. People close to God often see their own failures more clearly, but others can easily recognize how the Lord guides their perspective and acts as a source of salvation in all they do.

 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.” We can ask ourselves, how is the Lord with me now? Do I rely on my own understanding of who He is, or am I allowing Him to reveal Himself through the Scripture and His teachings? Is the Lord my Savior in every way and throughout each day, or does He want me to let Him into deeper parts of my life?