Fiat Lux
Isaiah 58:1-9a and Matthew 5:13-20
Old Testament and Gospel Reading for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)
Let there be light. Let the darkness be punctured. Let the night come to an end. Let the new day dawn. Let the sun burst up from the horizon. Let its rays warm the earth. Let its heat touch our faces. Let the light travel through windows and dance on our walls. Fiat lux. Let there be light.
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."
Let there be light. Let the darkness of oppression be punctured. Let the night of our selfishness come to an end. Let a new day of compassion dawn. Let love burst up from our being. Let its rays warm every cold heart. Let it light up our faces with joy. Let light travel through our souls and dance in our minds. Fiat lux. Let there be light.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
Let there be light. Let the darkness of hatred be punctured. Let the nights of hunger, injustice, greed, and prejudice come to an end. Let a new day in which we see God's goodness dawn. Let light burst forth in all that we do. Let its rays warm every soul with the reminder of God's love. Let it light up the darkened and forgotten corners of our world. Let light travel to all people and dance for every child, woman, and man. Fiat lux. Let there be light.
