Homily for Tuesday, December 31st - The 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new year, approximately 2,025 years since the birth of our Lord. There is something fresh and hopeful about starting anew. This time of year invites us to consider the possibilities of new beginnings. Even though we are in the midst of winter, we know that for the next six months, each new day will gradually become longer than the one before. With the lengthening of daylight comes the anticipation of new life.

The Prologue of John’s Gospel echoes this theme of new beginnings, portraying the dawn of a new light on Earth. Its opening words are “In the beginning.” It speaks of a light that shines in the darkness, a light that darkness cannot overpower, a true light that enlightens everyone.

This Gospel passage refers not to the light of the sun but to a different kind of light—the light of the Word who was with God in the beginning. Because this Word became flesh, His light is now available to us. We live and move within this extraordinary light. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Many of us have experienced our own personal moments of darkness. A darkness of spirit, mind, or heart can engulf us; we may suddenly find ourselves in unexpected, challenging situations. It is in these circumstances that today’s Gospel message speaks powerfully: “A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower.” Our faith assures us that there is no darkness in our world that the light of Christ cannot penetrate.