“... the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and wshadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16.)
Saint Chromatius of Aquileia comments on this verse from the Gospel proclaimed during today’s Mass:
“The Evangelist commemorated in this passage the prophet’s words: “Beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” In what darkness? Certainly in the profound error of ignorance. What great light did they see? The light concerning which it is written: “He was the true light that illumines everyone who comes into this world.” This was the light about which the just man Simeon in the Gospel declared, “A light of revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel.” That light had arisen according to what David had announced, saying, “A light has arisen in the darkness to the upright of heart.” Also, Isaiah demonstrated that light about to come for the enlightenment of the church when he said, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Concerning that light also Daniel noted, “It reveals the profound and hidden things, knowing those things which are in darkness and the light is with it,” that is, the Son with the Father, for even as the Father is light, so too is the Son light. And David also speaks in the psalm: “In your light shall we see light,” for the Father is seen in the Son, as the Lord tells us in the Gospel: “Who sees me, sees the Father.” From the true light, indeed, the true light proceeded, and from the invisible the visible. “He is the image of the invisible God,” as the apostle notes.” (Tractate on Matthew, 15.)
Collect
O God,
Whose eternal Word
adorns the face of the heavens
yet accepted from the Virgin Mary
the frailty of our flesh,
grant, we pray,
that he who appeared among us
as the splendor of truth
may go forth in the fullness of power
for the redemption of the world.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Whose eternal Word
adorns the face of the heavens
yet accepted from the Virgin Mary
the frailty of our flesh,
grant, we pray,
that he who appeared among us
as the splendor of truth
may go forth in the fullness of power
for the redemption of the world.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
