The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 1:9
The darkness-to-light theme is prevalent in the fourth Gospel. John uses this theme to express Jesus’ victory over the forces of evil represented by darkness. At the very beginning of the Gospel, in the prologue, John writes: “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus’ resurrection is the victory of light over darkness, the victory of life over death, the victory of mercy over sin.
Peter speaks of the divine commission to preach and testify that Jesus is Lord so that “everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” This, too, is the movement from darkness to light. The proclamation continues today.
St. Paul exhorts us to live in this light by seeking “what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth” (Col 3:1-2). The promise of life eternal drives us through our time in the world. The Light of Life is drawing us to himself.
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