Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    In our rapid course through Advent we come already to Gaudete Sunday.  We hear in our Scriptures the call to rejoice in anticipation of the coming of our Savior.  Whenever we welcome someone to our homes one of the things we do almost instinctively is “turn on the lights”.  We want to see our visitor and be seen by them.  How odd it would be to just sit in the dark.  They may think we haven’t paid the electric bill.   Light is a means of welcoming.  Even with people whom we may encounter in a dark mood don’t we usually encourage them to “lighten up!” 

    The spiritual life is very much the same.  The weight of the world can descend upon us from time to time and gloom starts to take over but Christ has given us the remedy to overcome the shadows, namely Confession.  Sin always is a darkness that keeps the light from shining in us, the Light that comes from Jesus, Himself.  He came to cast out the darkness and pervade our souls with a brightness the world cannot give.

     As we draw closer to Christmas see how many lights are starting to shine around us whether it be from decorations. or candles or other sources.  We crave light even if artificial because it dispels all that brings what is contrary to joy.  So rejoice and let the Light of Christ permeate your souls and radiate He Who is to come.

With Blessings,

Father Langan