Devotional

Shining Light into the Dark Corners (25 October)

The believers who were scattered went everywhere, preaching the message. Philip went to the principal city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to the people there. The crowds paid close attention to what Philip said, as they listened to him and saw the miracles that he performed. Evil spirits came out from many people with a loud cry, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed. So there was great joy in that city. A man named Simon lived there, who for some time had astounded the Samaritans with his magic. He claimed that he was someone great, and everyone in the city, from all classes of society, paid close attention to him. "He is that power of God known as 'The Great Power,'" they said. They paid this attention to him because for such a long time he had astonished them with his magic. But when they believed Philip's message about the good news of the Kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself also believed; and after being baptized, he stayed close to Philip and was astounded when he saw the great wonders and miracles that were being performed.

Acts 8:4-13

Too often we act like Simon the Sorcerer. We try to impress people and go around saying that what we are great and that our works are amazing. And indeed, people may even testify that our works are great.

The Light makes the darkness disappear. This is what happened in the case of Simon. When people believed Philip when he preached the kingdom of God, men and women got baptized, and Simon was among them.

Yes, Simon believed and was baptized. He realized that the greatness he had been deceived by is worthless when compared to the divine light. Everyone realized that Jesus is the true Great One, and everything that is done in the name of Jesus is what truly amazes people.

However, light will not coexist with darkness. Spiritual darkness lies hidden away in the heart, and the light of God's truth has to penetrate the daunting darkness of the heart. Doesn't the word of God say, "Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed." (Jeremiah 17:9).

Such was the heart of Simon. It led him to offer money to the disciples in order to possess the ability they had. Although he believed and was baptized, there was still darkness in his heart. This was revealed by the Holy Spirit and the word of God which leads people to repentance. Without any doubt, when the light of Christ shines, it removes the sin that lurks in the dark corners of the heart.

The light that comes from Christ is shining and wants to penetrate into your heart and mine so that everything negative that is concealed will be revealed. If we hear his voice, let us not refuse him who is speaking.

- 25 OCTOBER -