Your Light Has Come
A glowy New Year's moment in the Phoenix Valley.
Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:
share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.
---
On the Feast of the Epiphany—January 2nd—David and I went to Mass at one of our local AZ parishes with our kids. We chose an afternoon Mass, rather than our typical morning time, because David and I were super tired! (The kids’ winter break is a joy, but it’s also exhausting when we continue to work from home!) My Word for the Week ushered in a wide-eyed close to the Christmas season.
During Mass, our first- and third-born children had the giggles. They are both typically quieter than their other two siblings. But this week, they laughed for what seemed like the entire Mass! I kept reminding them to keep their voices quiet. But then I’d have to stifle my own laughter as they tried to suppress their giggles.
“Of all the things to get in trouble for, laughing is a good one,” I thought to myself as I tried to keep order in our pew.
In the church, the Christmas decor was vibrant with poinsettias, candles, and glowing lanterns around the altar. The Word that stood out to me in Mass was from the first reading, “...your light has come.” -Isaiah 60:1. It was a verse that I included in the artwork of my first studio album, back when I was 15 years old.
I was on the lookout all week for the “light” that the reading spoke of. Yes, my light must be Jesus. ("I am the light of the world," -John 8:12) But what was I supposed to do about it?
It seemed like the Lord was inviting me to recognize how He has come to light up my life as a witness. The rest of the verse from Isaiah says:
"Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you."
During the way, I found myself reflecting on a prophetic word from my friend AC. He described how God called my family and me to the desert of Phoenix. To paraphrase, he said, "Phoenix is a valley. The mountains are all around it, like an amphitheater. And you're in the middle, with this bright light shining on you."
By the end of the week, I found myself in the church where AC and I first met! It was also the same church where I first noticed a desire on my heart to bring the Good News to a lot of people.
Later that night, I also came face to face with a deep, terrifying need for forgiveness. I called my dad by Sunday afternoon and wept as I asked for advice.
"I'm writing a new book about forgiveness, Dad. I think it's going to reach a lot of people. And now I have to forgive in ways that I haven't had to before. And it's so hard."
My dad encouraged me to have faith that consolation would come. To have faith that joy was on the way. That forgiveness was the key to deeper relationships.
That Sunday night, the Baptism of the Lord. (Jan. 8) David and I attended Mass at St. Michael Parish in Livermore, California. As we walked from the parking lot toward the front doors, I pointed toward the courtyard.
"That's where my CD table was set up when that one kid told me, 'You're famous.'" I told David.
"Oh, really?" David remembered the story that I've told about the encounter. It happened shortly after I recognized the desire to reach a lot of people with our ministry.
It was another prophetic moment. And it was one that AC knew about and affirmed, too.
In Mass, I felt so many pieces of Providence coming together before my eyes. The priest began his homily with the word, "Wait." But then he explained that we didn't really need to wait, because our call had already arrived.
The homilist talked about how forgiveness is the mark of Christianity. How it's so much harder than our natural inclination toward revenge. And how it shows others that we are different in Christ.
My eyes filled with tears. God's light was illuminating my heart and mind. And I felt confident in the path that He has set before me in this next season.
It's a path that requires forgiveness. A path that will bring His light to others. And a path that is made clear through His word.
Will you pray with me? That we will trust the Word of God to meet us where we are? "Lord, we believe that your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, as the Psalmist says. Please help us to recognize your word in our lives and to follow in the way that you set before us. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."
___
Special thanks to VIP Patrons:
Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski
Frances Jones
Elizabeth Herberg
To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive a “New Music Every Month,” signup at amandavernon.com/patron.
