Hello,
Friends.
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks,
Welcoming you back for another reflection as we journey through Lent and reflect on the I Am statements of Jesus.
Today,
We continue to reflect on Jesus' statement,
I am the light of the world.
So as we begin,
I invite you,
As usual,
To settle and be still,
To take a deep breath in,
Slowly exhale.
Again,
Breathe in and let it go.
Let your body relax.
Let your thoughts settle.
Let your heart open.
Now imagine the glow of dawn breaking over the horizon.
The darkness fades.
Shadows retreat.
The world is bathed in light.
And into this moment,
Hear the words of Jesus.
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
But will have the light of life.
Light does many,
Many things.
Light reveals.
It exposes what is hidden,
Bringing clarity where there was confusion.
Light guides.
It illuminates the path before us so that we can see it clearly and not stumble.
Light heals.
It brings warmth,
Renewal and the promise of new life.
Jesus,
The light of the world,
Shines into every shadowed place.
Not to shame and not to condemn,
But to restore.
Take a moment to reflect.
What truths might God's light be revealing in your life?
Is there something that you've avoided facing?
A place of fear?
Maybe some hurt or uncertainty?
What if instead of hiding,
You allowed God's light to touch that space?
Not with harshness,
But with love.
Imagine with me for a moment standing in a dark room.
The air is heavy.
The way forward is very unclear.
Then a door opens.
Light spills in.
Gentle,
Warm,
Inviting.
The light touches the walls,
Revealing what once was hidden.
Not to condemn,
But to restore.
Now imagine stepping toward that light.
Let it surround you,
Fill you.
Let that light seep into the places that need deep,
Deep healing.
Let the light of Christ bring clarity,
Peace,
Healing and the courage to move forward.
Let us pray.
Jesus,
Light of the world,
Shine into our hearts.
Reveal what needs to be seen.
Heal what needs to be restored.
Guide us and our steps in your truth.
Help us to trust your light.
Not to fear what it reveals,
But to walk forward in the life that the light offers to us.
Amen.
As we come to the end of our time together,
Take another deep breath in.
Slowly release it.
And as you move forward from this moment,
May you walk in the light,
Confident in God's love,
Guided by God's presence and open to the healing that God brings to every single one of us.
And may the grace,
Peace and love of that light surrounding you be with you each day and every day.
Amen.
Peace be with you,
Friends.
Until tomorrow,
God bless.
