We Are Not In Darkness . . . Or, Are We?

3 Sep

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light 
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.  (1 Thes 5:4-6)

One of the tragic flaws of our human nature is that we tend to be more drawn to sin than to the goodness of the Lord.  Even though we have an inherent fear of the dark, we often gravitate toward it.

Look at the number of people who regularly watch horror movies.  They know that they are going to be frightened, sometimes severely so, yet they go to watch.  They cannot keep themselves from attending.  They end up having nightmares because of what they watched.  Yet, they will be at it again as soon as the next movie comes out.

There is a certain thrill, perhaps, dancing around the dark and the dangerous.

But we can get hurt when we do so.

Being children of the light by the virtue of our baptism we need to gravitate toward the light of Christ rather than toward the dark of sin.

FAITH ACTION:  Examine your conscience.  Is there anything that is keeping you from the Lord, that is keeping you living in darkness.  If necessary, schedule an opportunity to go to confession so that you may remain in the light.