In today’s gospel Jesus tells us he is “the light of the world.” As we tell his story through the liturgical year, we use that image of light to great advantage. Think of the Advent wreath and how its light grows each week. Think also about where our Lent leads us: to the evening celebration of Holy Thursday and the night Mass of the Easter Vigil. The darkness of his Passion will be overcome by the light of his Resurrection!

We also have a tradition of praying Tenebrae, a liturgy that runs opposite from that Advent wreath. We begin with candles blazing and with each passage of scripture proclaimed, lights are extinguished until the end, when the one remaining candle that represents Christ is carried out of the church. Next Sunday we have an opportunity to pray Tenebrae—4 p.m. in St Boniface Church. You’ll hear excerpts from the Passion of Christ, music from Vittoria (16th century Italian) and Poulenc (20th century French), all inviting us to experience something of God’s love amidst growing darkness. What a great preparation as we draw close to Holy Week.