Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 8, 2019
Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
So the Pharisees said to him,
“You testify on your own behalf,
so your testimony cannot be verified.”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid,
because I am not alone,
but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”
So they said to him, “Where is your father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father.
If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
“I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
What comforting words, especially in this season of Lent—a season when we are called to pick up our crosses and carry them alongside Christ to Calvary. This mission of redemption is not always particularly appealing to me, since, like most people, I instinctively want to flee at the mere mention of the word “suffering.”
As I’ve journeyed in my faith, however, I’ve found a certain sweetness in the cross. Recently, I’ve experienced this sweetness amidst a season of transition and the loneliness that comes along with drastic life changes. Starting a new job, moving across the country to a town where I initially knew just one person, and leaving my life as a pro athlete are just a few of the daunting changes I’ve faced in the last two months. At times, it has left me feeling lonely and confused, questioning how this all fit into God’s plan for me.
Nonetheless, throughout this time of uncertainty, I’ve felt the Lord drawing me closer to his heart. I feel God calling me to encounter him most profoundly in the humility of a changed identity. Now, no longer a hot-shot athlete, but a regular working woman, I’m learning real fulfillment lies in abandoning all to him—even my own identity.
Even in times of change, we can be confident that we are never alone “walking in darkness.” Lent is an ideal season to re-invite Christ into all areas of our lives and meet him more frequently in prayer and the sacraments. By uniting our crosses with Christ’s this Lent, we can seek a new, more intimate encounter with Our Lord Jesus Christ. This encounter will always lead us to the cross. But even in the darkness of Calvary, we have the Light of Life with us, guiding us to Resurrection.
Prayer
Father, your beloved Son Jesus was anointed in the Spirit and brought your healing love to our world. We pray that Christ, the light of the world, will sustain us always in faith, hope and love. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Though St. Walter of Pontoise did not want to be in the public eye and longed for a life of solitude, he could not escape the leadership roles to which he was called.
He lived in 11th century France and was a professor of philosophy before joining a community of Benedictine monks. Because of his intellect, the king asked him to serve as the first abbot of a new monastery in Pontoise.
He was fearless in speaking to those in power, which made him rise in their estimation. The honor that he received from executing his position well made him anxious. He had always desired a life of silence and prayer, so he fled to a distant monastery, hoping to escape his responsibilities. His monks found him, though, and brought him back.
He tried a number of other escapes as well—he tried to live in solitude on an island but was found, and a pilgrim recognized him when he attempted to hide in another, different monastery after that.
Walter eventually appealed to the pope himself, asking to be relieved of his duties. The pope told him to make good use of the talents God had given him and told him to never leave again. Walter took that as a definitive answer and gave up on looking for a way out of his public ministry.
He spoke out against priests who abused their positions and faced angry opposition. He was even seized, beaten, and thrown into prison at one point—the monks of his community had him released.
As he aged, he increased his devotions and disciplines. It is said that he rarely sat down while praying in church—he would lean on his staff instead. He would often be the last man to leave the monk’s night prayer, lost in contemplation, and sometimes would fall asleep there to be discovered in the morning in a heap on the floor.
St. Walter died on this date in 1095, which happened to be Good Friday. He is a patron saint of prisoners, and of those who experience job-related stress.
The chapel in Duncan Hall, a men's hall on Notre Dame's campus, is named after St. Walter of Pontoise, a designation that is marked with this plaque that stands near its door.
St. Walter of Pontoise, patron saint of those who suffer from job-related stress—pray for us!
Image credit: This icon comes from St. Walter Pontoise Parish in Roselle, Illinois.