The Lord hears the cry of the poor. — Psalm 34:7

Mass readings: Acts 5:17-26 / John 3:16-21 

Out of Darkness 

Darkness has gotten a bad name. We instinctively reach for the light switch when entering a dim room. We’re uneasy in caves, coal mines, and spooky cellars, (Even spacious ones!) As children, we questioned what creepy things lived in the darkness beneath our beds. In today’s first reading, the Sadducees threw the apostles into a public — and, presumably, very dark — jail. To their captors’ amazement, God sent an angel to open the door and free these early Christians. 

In the second reading, John throws a light on things: We avoid darkness because bad things happen there. Wickedness and evildoers fear exposure in the light so they avoid it, but God sent His light, His Son, into the world to call “whoever lives the truth.” Angels still open doors for those who long for the light. 

Prayer: Jesus, Light of the world, free us from harm.