Dissipating the Darkness - Fr. Paul - January 10, 2021

Today on the Sunday after Theophany the Gospel reading comes to us from Matthew 4:12-17. The intimations of this Gospel are that there is a Resurrection and God exists. The worldwide pandemic in which we find ourselves has caused the loss of income, homes and sadly many of our own family members and friends, all of which, have left many of us in darkness and despair. In the midst of darkness and despair The Church reveals to us The Good News that there is hope, because God exists, and those who abide in His Commandments and believe in Him are promised a Comforter, the Holy Spirit Himself, who will see us through difficult times. The commencing of Jesus’ ministry after His Baptism shows us that He has come into the world as The Light of the world to dissipate the darkness that besets so many people. When life gets dark, as Orthodox Christians we should turn to God in repentance and keep His commandments, which will allow us to receive His Holy Spirit who will abide with us forever. If we nurture the flame of the Holy Spirit through Christian living, we will know peace and find light in the darkest of times.