Mother’s Union Devotion Second Week of Lent Wednesday 9 March 2022

Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ John 12. 35, 36

It is hard for us to imagine just how miraculous it was for people, in the past or in isolated communities today, the first time they witnessed a light bulb being turned on. Using a quite simple, not much effort required, flick of a switch, light suddenly streams from a glass bulb. For some of the early adopters of electric lighting there would have been a curiosity to understand just how this miracle worked. Others would be perfectly content with just enjoying the light without bothering to try and understand this new-fangled electricity thing.

The electricity required to power the light bulb whether it comes from batteries or the mains is invisible most of the time. We are generally only aware of its power when things go wrong and thankfully with the improvements in safety over the generations, such instances are now very rare. The wiring in our homes always carries this electricity with the power to transform darkness into light. Some days, when the sun is shining and the nights are short, we do not have to call on this hidden power very often. Other days in the depths of winter when the days are short and the rain unceasing, we may need the power of electricity to lighten our homes all day.

Just so, when life is flowing along filled with joy, good health, contentment, and fulfilment we do not feel the need to call upon the power of Jesus. But when we find ourselves in dark days, fearful of our future, worried about our health or our loved ones we call out to the one whom we trust to bring light into our world. The power of Jesus, the Light of the world, is not so fickle, it is present always. Jesus’ words in John’s gospel encourage us to strive to become children of light. Children who are aware of the power of the light at all times, not just when we are frightened or in need. So, during this second week of Lent maybe we could spend some time reflecting on just where the light of Jesus is working in our daily lives, in the good as well as the challenging places.

With all my love and prayers for a Holy and Prayerful Lent.

Revd Sandra