Fr. Michael Williams

There is a famous painting by the nineteenth century English artist, William Holman Hunt. It is entitled, “The Light of the World”. In the picture Jesus is holding a lantern, and knocking at a door. In the picture the lantern represents Jesus as “The Light of the World”; the door, which can only be opened from the inside, and is overgrown with weeds, represents the human soul . The Light seeks entry through the door into the human soul. However, “The Light of the World” waits for the door to be opened before He will enter; “The Light of the World” humbly waits for the door of each human soul to be opened to Him.

John the Baptist is a man who opened his heart and soul to “The Light of the World”. John was so sensitive to this wonderful “Light”, that when he was still in St Elizabeth’s womb, he leaps for joy, when he comes into the presence of “The Light of the World”, who is still hidden in Our Lady’s womb. John experienced the joy that only “The Light of the World” can give, and so he points other people to the Light; he wants others to experience the “Light” of Christ. From the earliest moments of his life John felt the warmth and joy that Jesus, “The Light of the World” brings. John wanted everyone to know about the “Light”, that is why he witnesses to it.

As men and women of faith we can often feel the warmth and the joy that only Jesus, “the Light of the World” can give. Faith in the Lord gives a consolation and strength, that the world cannot give. The world has many counterfeit lights, but they cannot satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul. Only God who is the true Light can bring us true and lasting happiness; a happiness that is only fully realised in the eternal life of Heaven, although we can catch glimpses of it in this world.

In chapter eight of John’s Gospel Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness”. Following the Lord is to walk in the light and to reject the darkness. The darkness also seeks entry into our lives. The darkness can attempt to overpower us, just as it attempted to overpower Jesus. But as the Apostle John tells us, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it”. Following the Lord of Light, and His commandments, is to reject the darkness.

Jesus tells us to, “believe in the light so that you may become children of light”. It is an invitation: “believe in the light”. If we believe in the Light we share in the Light of Christ. We can become a lamp to others, who are walking in the darkness. St Paul instructs us to be like stars “lighting up the sky” in this often dark world. Our love is to be a light to others. Like John the Baptist we are called to be witnesses to the light, in a world darkened by unbelief and sin. We are called to keep the flame of faith burning, especially at this time of year when many have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, sang a prophetic hymn of John before his birth. He sang that John “shall go ahead of the Lord to prepare his ways before him…to make known…the loving kindness of the heart of our God”. Through our baptism we too are called “to make known the loving kindness of our God”. Like John we are called to be prophets to our generation of the Light of the world, Christ our God.