Light for the Nations

From Sunday’s Mass reading:

Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

The “light for the nations” in this passage from Isaiah 42 is a prophecy that, from a Christian perspective, has been ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The Savior identifies himself with the light when he says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Today, Christ shines his light through the witness of our lives. He calls us to speak light and give light to those who dwell in darkness. Each and every one of us must ask ourselves: Is Christ’s light shining in me today? Have I loved the unloved; have I fought for justice; have I served the lost, the poor, the weak and the marginalized? Does the candle of my faith burn bright?

-Tony M.