Hymn of Light

Joyous light of glory: of the immortal Father; heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ.

Today you can flip a switch in a dark room and have instant light. For most of history that has not been the case.

Until Thomas Edison and others came up with a way to harness electricity, the only way to have light at night was to make use of that which governs the night from the earliest days of creation or light something up such as a torch, candle, or oil lamp.

We have come to the setting of the sun, and we look to the evening light.

This transition from day into night is the most dramatic and frequent occurrences happening on the planet.

You take it for granted, but it happens because the Creator, Who made all things good, blesses and sustains His creation. All of it. Just as He has done from day to day from the beginning.

That is something worth singing about, and so the Church does.

The Phos Hilaron, or Hymn of Light, happens to be the most ancient hymn currently sung in the Church. It's words are worthy of pondering any time of day or night, for they remind you of the true Source of every blessing, whether it be the seemingly simple things like day turning to night, or that which is yet to be revealed.

At the heart of all light is Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, Whose works on our behalf come down to raise you up and bring you to Himself.

Those works include most specifically His becoming flesh like you, suffering for you, dying for you, rising and ascending for you, and reigning for you so that you may live without fear of death while loving and serving your neighbor.

So, as the days go by, consider the Phos Hilaron carefully and slowly. Like the rhythm between day and night, these words have sounded forth in the conversation between heaven and earth from the most ancient of times.
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Quick Assessment

Some of the things you think so big are truly small.
Some of the things you think so small are truly big.

So what really counts?

Hint: Hidden in plain sight, but not a thing.
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To One Another

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. -James 5:16a

What could be more contrary to the ways of the world?

The world and your own flesh would have you trying to hide your sins, first from others, and then from yourself.

From this it is manifestly important to have an understanding of what is sin, and what is not. How are you going to know that? By hearing what God has to say of it, beginning with what is commonly called the Decalogue. The Ten Commandments.

Once you know, to whom are you going to speak? Here we are enjoined - that is those who belong to the body of Christ - to speak out to one another.

This appears to be anything but good news, does it not? What could be more negative than speaking and hearing of one another's transgressions, whether they be against God or against neighbor?

But this is not an exercise in psychology. It is the practice of speaking the truth in love, because there is a basis in truth for speaking forthrightly of wrongs committed, and of lavishing forgiveness upon the transgressor.

These things are actually what comprise life in the Church, the body of Christ, namely speaking what is true in every respect.

There is healing in the truth, because Christ, Who is Truth, suffered in His body in order to take away sin. Not just feelings of sin, but actual sin, along with its consequence of death.

Heed this admonishment and encouragement from James. Do not hesitate to speak to your brothers and sisters in the Faith where you have fallen short, because they will pray for you, and you will be healed not only of guilt, but of death itself.
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