Imagine you are taking part in a prayer vigil. The lights in the church are off. The processions begins and the servants, the Altar Servers, the Priest entering the Church. You look at the Easter Candle, the Light, and at the same time you listen to and join with the Choirs singing this beautiful song:

“Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.”

There were some occasions in my life, especially during the Mission-Vigil in which I entered into a prayer-mood. A feeling or moment when I felt the need of Light. The Light that shines in the darkest part of my life and the world. How about you? Have you seen this Light? Have you felt the need of the Light that shines into your heart?

Today’s gospel present to us the coming of the Light, Jesus, the Light of the world. The Prophet Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Light as we read in the first reading and the Gospel:

“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.”

Jesus, the great light shines and brings joy to those who longing for his coming. Look at the joyful expression of Simeon, when he encountered the Light, Jesus at the Temple:

Lord, let Your servant go in peace
For Your Word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared for all men.

A Light shall reveal to the nations
And the glory of Your people, Israel.

The presence and the life of Jesus must have been a very appealing that attracted many people including these first disciples. Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, James and John and other disciples were delightful with Jesus who enlighten them. In the midst of their ordinary lives as fishermen, they see, seek and follow the Light. Perhaps they had heard from the Baptist that Jesus was “The Messiah,” the one that the Jews had been awaiting for such a long time. And when they saw him walking along the shore, listening to his preaching, they saw someone who could guide them toward the Way, the Truth and the Life. To their great surprise, the One whom they attracted to, calling them, “come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” These disciples followed and walked in Light.

Like the disciples or Simeon, we too are longing for the Light to enlighten our way. In the midst of our struggles or along our life-journey we desire the coming of the light. Let us learn from these disciples that in the midst of their ordinary activities as fishermen they had time to gaze at Jesus who passed by, pondering his words and little by little the Light become so near to us and we feel and walk in Light as we follow His steps in our daily lives.

Let me end this short reflection with the words of Henri Nouwen:

“Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, “How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now?” There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let’s rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away.”

A little faith, hope and love that we have, will be added by Him as we walk in Light. Hopefully, we claim to ourselves the words of Jesus, the great Light, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” If it happens then we become the fishers of men too like the first disciples, proclaiming the Kingdom of God.