1 John 3:22 - 4:6 / Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
The celebration of the feast of Christmas and Epiphany has a common feature.
That feature is about light.
More than just physical light, there is a spiritual aspect to that light.
As the gospel passage quoted from the prophet Isaiah:
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
On those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.
The coming of Jesus has brought a mystical light to the world.
And Jesus began His ministry with these words: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.
So, repentance is about letting the light of Christ shine on the darkness of our lives.
And that light brings the Good News to our lives, as well as a spiritual healing.
Christ the light brings healing to our relationship with God, and also healing and reconciliation in our relationship with others.
Repentance begins with prayer. In prayer, we let the light of Christ shine into our hearts.
Then the healing and reconciliation that we are longing for will begin.