have seen a great light

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 John 3:22 -- 4:6 Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12 Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Matthew 4:16  the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

This is a very familiar passage.  The quote from Isaiah 9:1.  But who are the people that have seen a great light?  Is it the people of Israel, the religious form Jerusalem?  It is the people that have been overrun by gentiles.  The way of the sea as it is called.  These are people who have been in darkness, but not by their own choice.  Therefor they have an opportunity to repent now that they have seen a great light.

The people of Jerusalem have a bigger problem.  Jesus would die right in their midst and they would remain unrepentant even though they had all the knowledge and all the rudiments of the faith at their disposal.

Jesus call us to repentance, but are we too proud and "knowledgeable" to see our depravity?  Are we able to see this great light?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be able to see my sin and my need for you.  Help me to be humble and repentant in obedience to your words.

Amen