Perfect Light

A Reflection on the First Reading for January 6th, 2019:
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Isaiah 60.1-6 
​
​Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.

Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

---

I like to take photographs. I suppose everyone does now, given our Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook world. But I’m not necessarily talking about a selfie, or a quick pic of my meal, or a meme-worthy IRL moment. Rather, I like to take photographs that truly capture a memorable moment. Taking a good photo takes time. I take into account two things: the surroundings, and the light. I need to be aware of what’s happening around me in order to really see what’s going on. And I need good light. Natural or artificial, too much or too little — the light needs to be perfect because it can make or break the shot. I have to be paying attention to get a good photo.

“Lift up your eyes and see” says the prophet Isaiah in this reading. In other words, “Pay attention!” While important for my photography pursuits, paying attention is even more important when it comes to my faith life. The season of Christmas offers many distractions that can skew the moments and memories that we capture, photographic and otherwise. Have I  taken the time to pay attention to my surroundings and see the light — the True Light? 

"Have I  taken the time to pay attention to my surroundings and see the light —
​the True Light?"

Tweet

I get so caught up in trying to find the perfect present, make the most delicious treats, and be everywhere that I am expected to be, I forget that it’s not about making myself busy, but rather letting God be busy through me. In the lead up to Christmas, there were reminders that this season is really about growing our relationships with those we love and who love us — not the busyness, presents, and social engagements. I just had to “lift up my eyes” and see! 

Busyness is not confined to the Christmas season, or work life, or family life, or any one part of our lives. Yet we have the choice to make the busy life ours, or allow God to be busy through us. And neither is the Light confined to one particular place or season or time. Isaiah prophesied that Christ’s Light would gather all together. Don't we all long to be with loved ones during Christmas? As believers in Christ we are called toward that Light, and to also spread the Light, not only in this holy season but year round. Isaiah tells the people of long ago and us: Shine! Arise! Be Light! Be brightness! Be radiant!

Every time I actually stop and lift my eyes to see the Light, hear His call, and act on that call, I experience an epiphany moment. On this Feast of the Epiphany, when we recall the arrival of the three kings at the manger, we are invited to share in their epiphany moment: the recognition that in a small newborn babe, a new relationship with God was begun for all. 

"[W]e are invited to share in [the three kings'] epiphany moment:
the recognition that in a small newborn babe, a new relationship with God was begun for all. "

Tweet

And to think there were no cameras to capture this moment. I’ll bet the Light was perfect.

​Aurea Sadi

---