A young man who later became a Cardinal was returning by sea from Italy to his native England. While the boat was detained in Sicily, young Newman fell ill and nearly died. During his convalescence, he wrote these words: ‘’Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,’’ because he believed that the prophecy of Isaiah had come true: ‘’People who walk in darkness have seen a great light’’( Is 8:23 ). We too have our hours of darkness. The death of a lifelong spouse, an unexpected rejection by a loved one, a smashed dream of business success or the loss of good health can throw us into a temporary darkness. But at such tragic moments, true believers have in the past seen the light of Christ, as light that illumines the shadows of our hearts with the radiance of his splendor. Guiding us to travel safely over the tempestuous sea of this mortal life, steering the vessel of life through rough storms of trials and troubles, until we have made the harbor of peace and bliss.
It is true that the light of Christ first shone in Galilee, but it was meant to bring light to everyone who comes into the world. Hence Jesus chose some to be his apostles telling them: ‘’Come after me, I will make you fishers of men’’ (Mt 4: 19) “Fishers” is not just a metaphor but a mission, a mission to bring the light of Christ to cover the earth, as water covers the channels of the deep, to carry faith to the doubting, hope to the fearful, strength to the weak and comfort to the mourners. It is a mission entrusted not just to the apostles, bishops and priests but also to the laity who serve in the Church as altar servers, readers, and Eucharistic ministers, as well as to those who serve outside it, such as the parish pastoral councils, the teachers, the catechists and parents. In fact, all the baptized and confirmed are called to be fishers for Christ. If Jesus, the dawn on our darkness, has made us into the brightest sons of the morning, it is in order that we, like fishermen, may leave behind our narrow cells and launch out a larger sea of life as apostles of the light.
Our apostolate will be a mighty force if it comes from one united Church. Together we can win, divided we fall. We Christians are gathered together by the same Word, joined together by the same baptism, framed together by the same Spirit and built together by the same Christ. Why can’t we then worship together as one Church? Disunity has been endemic in the Church right from its beginning. Already then, St Paul had to appeal: ‘’Let there be no factions, rather be united in mind and judgment’’ (1 Cor 1: 10). Although the week of prayer for Christian unity soon ends, we must continue to pray for unity first among ourselves as Catholics, that we may speak in harmony and our minds apprehend alike, that common be our prayer, common be our resolutions and common be our deliberations. We must continue to pray that the members of different Churches may soon be bound together in the visible unity of one faith.
If we Catholics have caused any bitterness between Christians because of our self-interest and self- concern, it is time to repent and repair the offences. If we have neglected the Lord, the bond of unity, because we have trusted in our own wisdom and strength, it is time to repent and reform. If we have failed in our commission to be the apostles of Christ’s light; the greatest of all lights, the only true light, the light from whom springs the lights of the day and that of the sun, it is time to repent. We need not wait for Lent to repent. ‘’Repent! The kingdom of God is at hand’’ (Mt 4: 17), ask the Lord today. It is consoling to know that it is easier to repent of the sins we have committed than to repent of those we intend to commit! If only we could truly repent and reform our lives, the Lord will send forth his Spirit speedily into the dark places of our guilt and woe, and arm us with the piercing power of his light. Amen