ACC ~ John 1 v5a

THE LIGHT AND GIVER OF LIGHT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The most wise Evangelist now expands the thought expressed above…. Not only is the Word of God indeed truly light, but he is also the giver of light to all whom he infuses with the light of understanding. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.7. [1]

[1] LF 43:67**.

A BLIND PERSON CANNOT SEE THE SUN’S LIGHT

AUGUSTINE: But perhaps the foolish hearts cannot receive that light because they are so encumbered with sins that they cannot see it. Let them not on that account think that the light is in any way absent, because they are not able to see it. For they, because of their sins, are darkness…. For suppose, as in the case of a blind person placed in the sun, the sun is present to him, but he is absent from the sun. This is how every foolish person, every unjust person, every irreligious person is blind in heart. Wisdom is present, but it is present to a blind person and is absent from his eyes; not because it is absent from him but because he is absent from it. What then is he to do? Let him become pure, that he may be able to see God. [1] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.19. [2]

[1] Mt 5:8.

[2] NPNF 1 7:13**.

DARKNESS IS NOT AN IRREVOCABLE PART OF OUR NATURE

ORIGEN: People are not [darkness] by nature, since Paul says, “For we were once darkness but now are light in the Lord,” [1] and this is especially the case if we are now called saints and spiritual. Just as Paul, although he was darkness, became capable of becoming light in the Lord, so may anyone who was once darkness. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.134. [2]

[1] Eph 5:8.

[2] FC 80:130**; SC 120:296.

CHRIST OVERCOMES OUR PRISON OF DARKNESS

ISAAC OF NINEVEH: Let us not be troubled when we are plunged into darkness, especially if we are not the cause of it ourselves. For this darkness is brought about by divine providence for reasons that are known only to God. Our soul becomes suffocated and placed, as it were, in the middle of a storm system. Even if someone tries to approach Scripture—or whatever he approaches, it is only darkness on darkness that he finds instead that causes him to give up. How often is it that he is not even allowed to approach. He is totally incapable of believing that any other possibilities are out there that might give him some peace again. It is an hour filled with despair and fear! The soul is utterly deprived of hope in God and the consolation of faith. It is entirely filled with doubt and fear.

But those who have been tested by the distress of such an hour know that in the end it is followed by a change. God never leaves the soul for a whole day in such a state, otherwise it would lose life and all Christian hope…. Rather, he allows it to emerge very soon from the darkness. Blessed is he who endures such temptations. For, as the Fathers say, great will be the stability and the strength to which he will come after that. This struggle will not be over all at once, however; neither will grace come and dwell in the soul completely at once, but gradually. After grace, the trial returns. Sometimes there is temptation, sometimes consolation…. We do not expect complete deliverance from it here, nor do we expect complete consolation. ASCETICAL HOMILY 48. [1]

[1] MTIN 227-28**.

Jn