Living in the Light (1st Sunday of Advent)

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Click here for the Old Testament Reflection (Turning Towards Zion)

The first eleven chapters of Romans focuses on the doctrine of salvation, explaining how we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works of the Law, and how God chose us for salvation in the mystery of divine election. From chapter twelve on, the author shifts to discussing the practical aspects of Christian life, telling us how to live in light of the truths that he just taught.

In our Sunday reading, he reminds his readers that the day of salvation is drawing near to them, which is both a reference to their own personal judgment (see Hebrews 10:27), as well as Christ’s second coming, when He ushers in the new heavens and new earth (see Revelation 21-22). Because of this, he reminds them to do away with sinful desires and passions and live as one who has been bought by Christ and is eagerly expecting His coming. Elsewhere in his letters, he words it in this way:

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

To do this, he exhorts them to “put on the armor of light” (v. 12), which calls to mind the “full armor of God” in Ephesians 6:10-20. Once one has donned on every piece of this armor, one is fully equipped against the power of world, the flesh and the devil, and to live a life that is pleasing to Christ.

Finally, this reading has a special place in Christian history as the passage which led to the conversion of St. Augustine. Reading this in a garden in Milan, he was inspired to do away with his worldly lifestyle and return to the Christian faith. His example teaches us how it is never too late to turn away from the darkness towards the light, as long as one still draws breath.

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace. (Augustine, Confessions)

J. Luis Dizon