Sunday November 4th: 26 Cheshvan

We recall, today, that the month of Cheshvan is considered to be a time of darkness and gloominess. We also recall that, according to Isaiah, the Galilee was a place of spiritual darkness that was shone a great light as Christ ministered in that area.

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been cast into prison, He departed into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and to them who sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:12-16)

The Gospel of Mark records that, in the Galillean village of Bethsaida, Jesus healed the eyes of a blind man. This miracle and other miracles that He performed in the region were to demonstrate that He was on this earth to bring light to those who lived in darkness. Obviously, there were other miracles He performed in other places, but He ministered for the most part in Galilee because that’s where the light needed to be.

As we see the encroaching darkness in our day and time, there is a human tendency to withdraw, run away, and even hide from the darkness. The reality is that God put us here to be light during the darkness. Just as Christ went into a land full of spiritual darkness that He might be the Light, we are called to be the light in our day and time. Let’s recommit ourselves to this calling.

Shalom.