The 5 Senses and the Catholic Faith: Sight and the Light that Shines in the Darkness
- Leah Brix
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
The true Light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew Him not.”
-John 1: 1-10
I have been afraid of the dark my whole life. Going out to the barn on a Saturday morning at 5 am, or coming home late, was serious cardio training during my teen years.
Obviously, being outside at night is a nightmare. Bad things lurk behind every tree or shed.
But even now, as a full-fledged adult, in my dark house with locked doors and the security system armed, I have a racing heart at night and flip on every light on my journey across the hallway.
There is safety in light. There is comfort in seeing things as they really are, instead of a distorted shadow.
John famously refers to Jesus as the "light" in the opening chapter of his gospel.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it," is a catchy verse that looks great on a coffee mug or prayer journal. But it also has amazing depth to it.
Let's think of the light from the sun as Jesus' light. At midday, you see everything at face value. Nothing seems scary or odd because it all makes sense.
But take that light away, and come midnight, there is confusion and disorientation.
When we are "standing in the light,” so in the state of grace (meaning no mortal sin on our soul), we are able to see our lives clearly. We understand the brilliance of God's commandments and the Church's teachings.
But if we dim the light by not going to confession on a regular basis, or completely reject the light through mortal sin, we are left in the dark, and nothing makes sense anymore.
When left in the dark, we start to believe that the shadows of sin really aren’t so bad, and our conscience is weakened.
"All creation sings of his glory."
Every created thing bears the mark of its creator.
An art enthusiast will immediately pick out the work of a master like Rembrandt, Picasso, Michelangelo, Monet, Raphael, etc. because their style and brilliance are infused into the masterpiece itself.
And so, the Master Artist infuses hints of Himself into all He has created.
His awe and might are on display standing at the base of a towering mountain.
His tenderness is delicately shown in the gentle opening of a rosebud.
His humor is obvious at the awkward sight of a wobbly giraffe.
His peace is canvassed on a brilliant sunset over my favorite lake on a still summer night.
His love is displayed all around us, but we are often unable to see it because we are squinting.
Jesus wants us to be childlike - to live with our eyes wide open.
But life jades us. We are hurt by the ugly we have seen. Or perhaps we spend too much time looking down that we aren't used to the light above.
I invite you to be brave. I invite you to look up.
Set down whatever it is that is keeping you from wondering at the amazing world God has given you to enjoy.
Look for Him, and you will certainly find Him.
Dear Lord,
I thank you for the gift of my sight. This incredible sense brings me so much joy.
Help me to close my eyes to anything that is disordered or unhealthy. Let me use my sight to grow closer to You by praying with Sacred Art, gazing up at the Blessed Sacrament, and looking for You in everything.
“Seek, and you shall find.” Help me to seek You in all things, so that I can rest in Your Light and overcome the darkness of my life.
Amen.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah
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