Let there be light

Following on from last week when we considered the symbolism of water in connection with baptism, this week the gospel related the story of the man born blind. Here we observe the symbolism moving from water to light and the clear implication of this change is to express how through baptism we are enlightened by the sacramental encounter we have with Jesus. The words Jesus uses bring this idea into focus. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Note that we are told that the man had been blind from birth or in other words he was born blind, from the very beginning. It reminds us that in the beginning, God created the world when there was darkness over the deep. God’s first words were “Let there be light”, as if it is a moment of revelation, an opening up of the mind to understand the purpose and meaning of our lives. In the mind of the man born blind he was until this moment still living in darkness. It is by his coming to understanding that he is brought to a knowledge of the presence of God in the person of Jesus.

For each of us too, our coming to enlightenment in Christ through our baptism is an opening of our eyes. The light of Christ floods into our minds and we begin to see the world as the work of God’s hands. Notice how Jesus makes a paste from the earth, the “humus” and creates the man anew for him to see the true nature of himself as created in God’s image. At every baptism the paschal candle burns with the light of the Risen Christ. The newly baptised person, a new creation, receives a candle lit from the paschal candle, a light to be kept burning in their hearts as they take the first steps on their new journey.

This journey will not be without its challenges. We read how the man in the gospel was immediately challenged by those around him – indeed we are told they drove him away. We must have the courage and strength to withstand these challenges, to see them as moments of witness, when we are being asked to stand up for our faith and our beliefs. These moments can happen suddenly and without warning. They can come unexpectedly and out of the blue. Such moments can be overwhelming and can quite literally “blind” us as we struggle to understand and appreciate what has happened. It is in these moments, when the darkness may seem about to overcome our capacity to accept what has happened, that the light of world comes to bring up his revealing love to guide us through the shadows and to our home.

May the light of Christ dwell within us.