Let the light in

John 12:36-40

While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

The Unbelief of the People

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him.

This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

“Lord, who has believed our message,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said,

“He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and understand with their heart and turn—

and I would heal them.”

The miracle of belief

in those whose hearts are hardened

those who have succumbed

to the harshness of life

whose sympathies have given way

to cynical unbelief

erected as a protection

for tender hearts

tired of being broken.

The miracle of sight

for those who no longer see

the good and the kind and the noble

because too many times

their eyes have been wounded

with the pain of the world

The miracle of light

for those who prefer

the gentleness of darkness

in which is found retreat

from the pain of the day

and rest for souls wearied

by the gaudy colours

of passing pleasures

The miracle of healing

for all who believe

for all who look to the light

and find there balm for their souls

and hope, faith and love.