Introduction: The statement « The light is rising » refers to a most precious time. Indeed, in the past, Israel regressed; its priests themselves were found disrespectful and lacking in fear of God (Mal 1:6), and the Jewish nation blamed God and murmured against Him, saying: « All who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them. Or by asking, where is the God of justice? » Mal 2:17b. Apostasy and separation from God engender darkness, despair and discouragement, to which the Lord gives this consolation: « But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings » Mal 4:2a. These refer to the
scars of the hands of the crucified Jesus, marks of our redemption. Thus are fulfilled the words with which the prophet Isaiah was charged: « The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned » Isa 9:2. The « light rising »? It is the glory of God coming to the nation He has chosen, saying: « Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn » Isa 60:1-3. Beloved believer, wherever you are in the world! Do not hide the light that the Lord has given you, but hold up the light that is Jesus Christ, the light of the world and the light for your nation that is still in darkness. He declares: « I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have
the light of life » Jn 8:12.
Monday, 23th: The light is rising, Jesus Christ, light of the world.
« The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light » Mt 4:16a.
Reading 1: Mal.3:16-18;4:1-2.. Reading 2: Mt 4:12-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 4:16.
Introduction: Those who have separated themselves from God because of sin remain in the darkness of death (Rom 6:23a). However, Jesus Christ
makes His light shine in the heart of all those who believe and receive His forgiveness. He is the Saviour of the world (Jn 4:42), come to save His
people in order to deliver them from their sins (Mt 1:21b). Those who met Him overflow with joy and peace, like Simeon when he saw the baby
Jesus, who prayed in the Holy Spirit: « Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel » Lk 2:29-
32.
Tuesday, 24th: Believe in the light that is rising for you.
« […] Believe in the light, so that you may become children of light » Jn 12:36a.
Reading 1: Isa 60:1-5. Reading 2: Jn 12:31-36. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 12:36.
Introduction: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Light full of grace and truth (Jn 1:10,14b), came into the world, so that the human heart would no
longer remain in darkness. He lights the way to eternal life for those who believe in Him (Jn 14:6). He also comes into your life and says to you:
« The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you
do not know where you are going » Jn 12:35. To those who are aware of their blindness and seek His light, Jesus says, as to the blind Bartimaeus:
« Receive your sight » Lk 18:42a.
Wednesday, 25th: The light is rising, the Holy Spirit illuminating all things.
« Those who are spiritual discern all things » 1 Cor 2:15a.
Reading 1: Ps 119:97-104. Reading 2: 1 Cor 2:9-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Cor 2:14-15.
Introduction: The light of Jesus is like the rays of the sun, which warm and enlighten us at the same time: it is His love saving us and His truth
illuminating our hearts by the Holy Spirit. He affirms: « When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth » Jn 16:13a. The Holy
Spirit reveals to us all the truth about Jesus, according to His words: « When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit
of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf » Jn 15:26.
Thursday, 26th: The light is rising: bear witness to it.
« One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see » Jn 9:25b.
Reading 1: Mt 28:16-20. Reading 2: Jn 9:24-38. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 9:24-25.
Introduction: Whoever believes and trusts in Jesus’love for him, which He showed by forgiving him his sins and saving him from death, is called to
share it with others equally without cowardice or shame, according to the words of Christ: « You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill
cannot be hid » Mt 5:14. Thus, he is a messenger of God, carrying the light of Jesus, and the words of the psalmist are fulfilled in his regard: « You
make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers » Ps 104:4.
Friday, 27th: The light is rising: follow it.
« Live as children of light » Efes 5:8b.
Reading 1: Jn 12:31-36. Reading 2: Efes 5:6-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Efes 5:8.
Introduction: Jesus calls those who believe in Him not only to make Him known, but especially to live His teachings, to comply with the
commandments of love and truth. The apostle John reveals with simplicity what the « light » is, as it is written: « Whoever loves a brother or sister
lives in the light » 1 Jn 2:10a. This requires a firm choice, which consists in abstaining from all sin and defilement, according to this rebuke of the
apostle Paul: « The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light » Rom 13:12.
Saturday, 28th: Great and powerful is the Light of God.
« And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see » Isa 29:18b.
Reading 1: Mt 11:1-6. Reading 2: Isa 29:18-19. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 29:18.
Introduction: True blindness is ignorance and unbelief in God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Saviour. Saul remained in such
darkness until he met Jesus Christ, according to his testimony: « While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from
heaven suddenly shone about me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ » Acts 22:6-7. So,
believe in God’s love for you, believe in Jesus, the light of the world!
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