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Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come.
What if we changed these words from Isaiah in today’s first reading to, Rise up in splendor, Los Angeles, your light has come?
Isaiah offers his people hope. He describes how they will flourish due to God's power and light. His people have been through terrible times, but now they look forward to a change in fortune with “the riches of the sea” and “caravans of camels.” He urges them to embrace the goodness finally coming their way as “the glory of the Lord shines upon you.”
What if, as Isaiah suggests, we “let the Lord shine” on us?
I hear fear from different corners of life, sometimes bordering on despair. An air of worry causes my children, my friends, and probably the person in line behind me at the grocery store to say, “I can’t think about it. Don’t talk about it.” The “it” remains unspoken, but the worry is evident.
There is a sense that we are entering dark times. If so, how can we overcome the darkness and reach the light Isaiah writes about?
The past few nights, I have seen a spectacular moon; it was clear, and right below it was Venus, which was just as evident in the night sky. It was a breathtaking sight. As this beautiful moon hung in the sky, we made s’mores with two granddaughters visiting from Oregon. Their delight to be outside in January in shorts, making s’mores around the fire, was nothing less than joyful.
They are smart girls, grounded in their faith as any 6th grader and high school senior can be, and hopeful. They have every intention of working for the common good. Their stories about friends, the ups and downs of life, and how they handle these things gave me confidence that moving forward, young people will model a way of living that honors difference and lives in the light that Isaiah wrote about so many years ago.
Much can be done to bring light to people in our communities in Los Angeles and beyond. We do not have to fear the darkness if we reach out to others and bring them hope. It sounds a bit Pollyanna-ish but it is true. We can embrace the light, embrace good and make a difference. This is what Ignatians West is all about.
In our effort to continue learning and to live in the light as much as possible, we invite you to join us next Friday at St. Monica’s for a day of retreat and renewal. More information is below.
As we enter this year of Jubilee with the theme of hope, consider joining us on a trip to Italy, beginning in Rome, the center of the Jubilee. More information on this can also be found below.
If you have any questions about the retreat day or the Jubilee trip to Italy, please contact us.
In the meantime, as 2025 unfolds, I hope your days are spent seeking and bringing light to others.
Peace,
Anne
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