Let There Be Light

By Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

“God separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:4)

“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world,

but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.  

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light,

so his works might not be exposed.”   (John 3:19-20)

History and human hearts are battlegrounds between light and darkness.  This conflict has been history’s driving force since Cain killed Abel.  

That’s sin written large, not God’s design.  The Father’s Word shares Light by giving Life: “All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.  What came to be thought him was life, and this life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).  Creation’s light reflects God’s Light.  St. Thomas Aquinas says everything that “is”, is “light”.  Light is existence.  For men and angels, this light is life.

In the beginning, God created light and then separated the light from darkness, calling light “Day” and darkness “Night” (Genesis 1:4-5).  Darkness is angels who followed Lucifer before earth’s creation.  Darkness is diminishment of light and life.  It is sin.  “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12).

Then comes Jesus: “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). “God is light, and in him there is no darkness” (1 John 1:5).   

At Time’s End, “Night will be no more, nor will they need lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).   The separation of light and darkness that took place in the Beginning comes full circle in the End.  Christ the Light conquers darkness.  The Final Judgment, the New Creation, and the New Jerusalem are the ultimate victory of light over darkness.  

“When the sun had fallen and it was dark, 

a flaming torch passed between the parts…” (Genesis 15:17)