1st Day of Simbang Gabi 2011

December 16, 2011
ARC/Mabilo

A blind man visited a friend in another village. His friend was so happy to see him as they had not met for so long a time. They began to talk about how their lives had been since they last met. They never noticed that it was already dusk and they had to end their conversation. So the blind man had to go home. But before he went out, he asked his friend if he could give him a lantern or a torch. His friend asked why does he need a light because he is blind and he cannot even use it for his sake. The blind man replied, "It is true I am blind but it does not mean I do not need the light. I need it so as to give other people a clear chance to see me and thus prevent our collision."

Jesus said to the Jews:
“You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. 
I do not accept testimony from a human being,
but I say this so that you may be saved. 
John was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 
But I have testimony greater than John’s. 
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.”

In our Gospel, Jesus describes John the Baptist as a "burning and shining lamp" who gave light to those around him. His light is not for himself but for others so that they can see God's only son -Jesus. John's light gave warmth because it was the fire of God's love and truth. Just as natural light dispels the darkness and makes the way clear, so John''s light dispelled the spiritual darkness in people's lives and opened the way to freedom and joy in God's kingdom. 

Now we ask ourselves if we do make use of John's light to see Jesus and believe in Him as the son of God?