Psalm Reflection: The Second Sunday of Lent - Cycle C

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.” - Psalm 27

Have you ever been in a room so dark that you cannot see your hand in front of your face? Even in the darkness of night, we can still see from the light of the stars, the moon, or distant street light. It is surprisingly difficult to find a place without any light at all. 

Growing up in the mountains, it was sometimes possible if you were in a remote area away from buildings or other lights and it was cloudy enough to block the stars. On one occasion I even remember being on a hike in the middle of the day and stumbling across what looked like an entrance to an underground bunker. Curiosity enticed me to open the hatch and I remember looking down and being completely unable to see even an inch inside, because it was so dark.

That is what I imagine sin has done to us. Sin has darkened our ability to see clearly and to navigate a path toward redemption on our own. We cannot create our own light or get there without God. It is the love poured out by Jesus Christ on the cross that illuminates the path. It is not by virtue of any action or achievement of our own, but only by the light of the Lord that we can find our way.

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

When I first read this week’s Psalm I thought of the sun, how it illuminates everything and allows us to see. But then I thought about what it would be like if the sun suddenly vanished. Imagine it being so dark that you could not even take a step in any direction. That is what original sin does to us. Sin extinguishes the light we were originally given when God created everything. It is only when we claim the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for ourselves by dying and rising with Him in baptism that we can find the light again.

We were reminded on Ash Wednesday that we are dust and to dust we shall return, meaning that we will die one day. So, this week, imagine that day is today. Imagine this was your last day on earth and when it was over you will come face to face with Jesus for your particular judgment. 

What parts of your life make that idea worrisome? 

Are there places in your life that you are still attached to or walking in darkness? 

Bring them into the light. 

Where are you most in need of God’s illuminating light in your life?

Invite the light of Jesus Christ in by acknowledging the ways you are attached to sin and repenting of them. 

Turn to God for mercy and His abundant light will extinguish the shadows and reveal a clear path to joy.

We cannot truly see without Jesus, so turn from darkness and walk in the glory of His abundant light.

I am praying for you, please, pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt