Hello my friends.
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks,
Welcoming you to our eighth day of Lent,
As we reflect on the I Am Statements of Jesus.
And today we begin a week of reflection on Jesus' statement,
I am the Light of the World.
And so as we begin,
I invite you to sit and be still,
To take a deep breath in,
To slowly exhale.
Let yourself settle into this moment.
Allow your mind to grow quiet,
And your heart to be at peace.
Now imagine yourself in the early morning hours.
The city is still waking.
The first rays of sunlight stretch across the sky,
Brushing the temple walls with a golden glow.
And you hear the distant murmurs of footsteps as people gather,
Drawn by the presence of Jesus.
He sits among them,
Ready to teach,
And then he speaks.
I am the Light of the World.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
But will have the Light of Life.
Have you ever noticed that light changes everything?
It warms,
It reveals,
Light gives direction.
Even the smallest flicker of light can push back the deepest darkness.
What happens when light enters a room?
The shadows shrink.
What was once hidden becomes clear.
What was uncertain takes some shape.
Jesus' words aren't just poetry.
Jesus' words are a promise.
A promise that his presence brings clarity,
Hope,
And life.
And with this in your mind,
I invite you to take a moment to turn inward.
Where in your life do you long for light?
Are there places that feel uncertain?
Are there places that feel heavy?
Or perhaps even clouded?
Or maybe a situation that feels confusing?
A burden that weighs on your heart?
A part of yourself that feels unseen or unknown?
And now imagine Jesus standing before you.
His light gently filling that space,
Not in harshness,
But with warmth.
Not exposing to condemn,
But revealing to heal.
Jesus' light does not push you away.
Rather,
It invites you closer.
It calls you to step forward into the light.
And trust.
Breathing deeply,
As if inhaling this light.
Let it fill you.
Let this light bring peace where there was unrest.
Let this light bring clarity where there was confusion.
Let this light bring hope where there was doubt.
You'll notice in the scriptures that Jesus does not ask you to create your own light.
He simply asks you to follow him,
To walk in the light that he gives.
And so holding this truth and revelation close to your heart,
I invite you to pray with me.
Thank you for the gift of your presence.
For the way your love illuminates our hearts and shows us the path ahead.
Help us to trust in your light.
To walk with courage,
Even when the way is not yet clear.
To let your presence fill every shadowed place.
May we reflect your light to others.
Offering warmth,
Kindness and hope to a world in need.
Take another deep breath in.
Slowly release it.
And as you move forward from this moment,
May you walk in the light of Christ,
Knowing that his presence is always with you.
And as you walk in that light,
May grace and peace and love go with you every single step of the way,
This day and every day.
Until tomorrow,
Grace,
Peace and light be with you,
My friend.
God bless you.
