‘The People Who Have Walked In

Darkness Have Seen A Great Light’




‘The People Who Have Walked In

Darkness Have Seen A Great Light’

By John Mallon

The Sooner Catholic, November 20, 1994


The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.  —Isaiah 9:1


We will soon be hearing these beautiful words as we enter Advent. There is much darkness surrounding us. The state of Oregon has determined that there is another class of people in our society who may be killed, legally and at will. The terminally ill have joined the ranks of the unborn as “disposable” people. The sacredness of life has been insulted again. To further add such insult to injury the law goes into effect on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. What a diabolical inversion.


All this makes it all the more a spectacular time to be a Catholic. As St. Paul says, we are called to shine like the stars in the sky in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. (See Philippians 2:15)


It is in this night that we are called to shine, but we do not shine on our own power. We take our place in the firmament alongside the star that shows the way to Bethlehem where we find — what? The Baby who is God.


With His light we, the Church, must shine lighting the path to Christ to a world that dwells in darkness and death. We give only what we receive. There are many forces on the roam seeking to snuff out the Light as Herod’s soldiers sought the Baby King and slaying the innocents. Yet that Light has come into the world and will not be quenched.


Our leader on earth, Pope John Paul, has announced we are on the threshold of hope, and as we go to press, has released a new apostolic letter on “The Coming Third Millennium.”


In this issue we present many signs of hope. It was my great joy to see Jesus "set the prisoners free" through the love of the people at Kairos Prison Ministries, and for Advent we are having a section aimed especially at the recovery of Catholic Culture. 


We offer a review of a wonderful new book of Advent stories, customs and prayers gathered by Mary Bazzet from the talks of Catherine de Heuck Doherty of Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario, Canada. We hope that families, especially those with small children, who are looking for an alternative to a commercialized Christmas will take advantage of this heartwarming and Christ-centered book.


It is also with great joy that we report that Sister Martha Mary is "feeling better and better every day!" And to prove it she has sent us a new edition of her "Apropos" column featured on page 5.


Lastly, our own successor to the Apostles, Archbishop Beltran, speaks beautiful words of hope in this issue. He speaks the words of Jesus, “Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will give you rest.” And he puts up the goods, putting the Church's money where its mouth is, inviting any parent struggling with an unwanted pregnancy, tempted to consider abortion to call him, and the entire resources of the Church will be made available to comfort and receive mother, child, and father. There is no need to walk in darkness alone. The arms of Christ and all of His Body on Heaven and earth are open, and extended through the Church. Follow the Light. There is room in this Inn.


© 1994, 2007, 2020 by John Mallon