See the Light! Be the Light!
“The light shines in the darkness,
And the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5, NRSV)
(If you have a candle available, light it for this meditation time.)
These are deeply challenging and troubling times. Lives and livelihoods have been threatened by the shroud of deadly disease. Racism, injustice and violence have cast a shadow over the land. Division and despair have descended like night in so many places. Where is the light to guide us and show us the way?
The Gospel of John was written in deeply challenging and troubling times. Rome had been burned (64 A.D.), and Nero had begun persecuting Christians. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed (70 A.D.). Death, destruction and fear seemed to be the order of the day. In stark contrast, without hesitation and with courageous confidence, John proclaims right at the beginning of his Gospel: “The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness: the darkness couldn’t put it out!” (John 1:5, The Message)
Who is that light? Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Take some time today to SEE THE LIGHT of Christ around you: focus on where you have seen God’s light the last few days: people who love you, those helping to feed the hungry, teens working for justice, government and police officials seeking reconciliation, essential workers caring, just the light of a dawning new day and the whisper of Jesus to you to follow….walk in the light. Feel the glow of Christ’s presence. Sense His light going before you.
And, as we go by Christ’s light into our world this day, hear His invitation: “You are the light of the world….let your light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:14, 16, NRSV) BE LIGHT. We can become reflections of Christ’s light, aglow in His Spirit, and radiant witnesses to others. Where will you be this day that needs light? Who is walking in darkness that needs to see light through you? What concerns in your family or community need some light shed on them? As that inspiring song from “Godspell” puts it:
“You are the light of the world, but if that light is under a bushel, it’s lost something kind of crucial. You’ve got to stay bright to be the light of the world!”
PRAYER:
Light of the world, shine on me this day that I may see your light all around me and feel the warmth of your presence within me. Save me from hiding it under a bushel. Keep me bright in your light so that others may find your love reflected in my living, your justice illuminating our pathways, and your salvation radiant with light eternal. Never let “the darkness overcome it.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
About the Author:
Bishop Peter Weaver is a retired bishop in the United Methodist Church. He was born into a parsonage family in Greenville, PA. Bishop Peter Weaver was elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 1996. He was then appointed as the resident bishop to various Annual Conferences:
- Philadelphia Area (Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula Delaware Conferences) (1996-2004)
- Boston Episcopal Area (New England Annual Conference) (2004-12)
- Weaver served his colleagues as president of the UMC Council of Bishops (2003–04). He later served as executive secretary to the Council of Bishops (2012-16).
He now serves as the bishop-in-residence at Drew University Theological School. Additionally, Bishop Weaver served as interim bishop of the Virginia Annual Conference in 2019 to cover Bishop Lewis’ medical leave. He retired from the episcopacy in 2012 and currently resides in Williamsburg, VA.