Office Of Readings | Week 3, Thursday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Sermons Of Bishop John Of Naples | Love The Lord And Walk In His Ways

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Office Of Readings | Week 3, Thursday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Sermons Of Bishop John Of Naples | Love The Lord And Walk In His Ways

‘Love the Lord and walk in his ways.’

In this reading, John the Serene reflects on Christ as light and on the change that this light brings to human life. Taking his starting point from the psalm, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?’ he explores what it means to live in the illumination given by God.

The light John speaks of is not physical or temporary. It is the light of Christ himself, the one who said that he came into the world so that those in darkness might see. This light does not fade, and those who are touched by it are given the ability to avoid sin and to walk steadily in the way of goodness. Light, in this sense, means truth, direction, and life.

John then links this light with the Church. Christ, the sun of justice, shines on the whole Church spread throughout the world. The words of the psalm become the voice of the Church, confident in God’s protection and guidance. To live in the Church is to live within the reach of this divine light.

John describes the person who has been enlightened as spiritually steady. Such a person does not abandon the path even in hardship. Because he has some awareness of his true homeland with God, he is not overwhelmed by temporary troubles. His strength lies not in circumstances but in God, and his humility gives him patience.

Light also brings conversion. When Christ’s light enters the heart that has lived in darkness, it exposes sin and leads to repentance. The person becomes aware of his condition and turns back to God. This turning is not driven by fear but by recognition of salvation. The repeated cry, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation,’ becomes both confession and confidence.

Finally, John speaks of this light as a healing presence. Christ is the physician of the soul, and his light is offered freely. Even when temptations and inner blindness press in, they cannot overcome the one who remains in this light. The call to hasten to Christ underlines the urgency of grace: light and healing are available now, and they must be received while they are offered.

A Reading From The Sermons Of Bishop John Of Naples | Love The Lord And Walk In His Ways

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? How great was that servant who knew how he was given light, whence it came, and what sort of man he was when he was favoured by that light.

The light he saw was not that which fades at dusk, but the light which no eye has seen. Souls brightened by this light do not fall into sin or stumble on vice.

Our Lord said: Walk while you have the light in you. What other light did he mean but himself? For it was he who said: I came as a light into the world, so that those who have eyes may not see and the blind may receive the light. The Lord then is our light, the sun of justice and righteousness, who has shone on his Catholic Church spread throughout the world. The prophet spoke as a figure of the Church when he cried: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The spiritual man who has been thus illumined does not limp or leave the path, but bears all things. Glimpsing our true country from afar, he puts up with adversities; he is not saddened by the things of time, but finds his strength in God. He lowers his pride and endures, possessing patience through humility. That true light which enlightens every man who comes into the world bestows itself on those who reverence it, shining where it wills, on whom it wills, and revealing itself according to the will of God the Son.

When this light begins to shine upon the man who sat in darkness and the shadow of death, in the darkness of evil and the shadow of sin, he is shocked, he calls himself to account, repents of his misdeeds in shame, and says: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Great is this salvation, my brethren, which fears neither sickness nor lethargy and disregards pain. We should then in the fullest sense not only with our voice but with our very soul cry out, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? If he enlightens and saves me, whom shall I fear? Even though the dark shadows of evil suggestions crowd about, the Lord is my light. They can approach, but cannot prevail; they can lay siege to our heart, but cannot conquer it. Though the blindness of concupiscence assails us, again we say: The Lord is my light. For he is our strength; he gives himself to us and we give ourselves to him. Hasten to this physician while you can, or you may not be able to find him when you want him.

Christian Prayer With Jesus Christ

Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the light that shines in our darkness
and the salvation that drives away our fear.

Enlighten our hearts with your truth,
that we may walk in your ways
and not stumble in the shadows of sin.
Give us humility and patience
as we follow you through the trials of this life.

When we fall into darkness,
draw us back to yourself
and lead us to repentance and renewal.
Be our strength when we are weak
and our guide when we are uncertain.

May we always be ready
to turn to you, our healer and our light,
now and always.
Amen

Glossary Of Christian Terms

Light | Christ as the source of truth, life, and guidance
Salvation | God’s deliverance from sin and death
Sun of justice | A title for Christ as the source of righteousness
Catholic Church | The universal community of believers
Illumined | Enlightened by the grace and truth of Christ
Spiritual man | A person guided by God’s Spirit
True country | The heavenly homeland of God’s people
Repentance | Turning away from sin and back to God
Concupiscence | Disordered desire that leads to sin
Evil suggestions | Temptations or sinful thoughts
Physician | Christ as the healer of the soul
Humility | A truthful awareness of one’s dependence on God