Isaiah is speaking to people who have known defeat and desolation: Arise and shine for your light has come.
We're reading these words as we are still reeling from the economic shocks that have hit our world. We read them as we contemplate the continuing violence among peoples and nations.
Arise and shine for your light has come.
How are we to believe in this great reversal? How do we recognize God's power that has come into our lives? And how do we transmit that great power?
Isaiah explained that when God shares wealth and power, there's a reason: Nations shall come to your light. They all gather together and come to you.
An Ideal Ruler, Reflection on Psalm 72:1-2, 10-14
On this day in the Christian calendar, we celebrate Epiphany.
The presence of God is revealed. God's light draws us to Christ, and radiates in us and through us.
As we think about Christ as the perfect leader, we can also think about how us humans are supposed to do our leading. Look at Psalm 72.
A leader is supposed to judge with righteousness, to judge the poor with justice. Keep reading.
A leader is supposed to care for the needy, the poor, and those without a helper. A leader is supposed to redeem the the weak and the needy from oppression and violence.
Consider working some more on your New Year's Resolutions.
Lectio Divina:
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son. May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that wter the earth. In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound...For he delivers the needy when they dcall, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy (Psalm 72:1, 6-7, 12-13).
For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples' but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:2-3).
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