My earliest memories of darkness seem to revolve around my childhood neighborhood. It was a time and place when even young children generally were allowed the freedom to be out and about until it began to get dark. Then, as dusk set in, the streetlights would come on, and we knew it was time to go home.
God still gives us the same kind of freedom to live our lives as we choose. We are free to wander and to make choices that will affect our lives in ways both positive and negative. Those choices are what make our lives what they are. Good, Spirit-led choices lead to joy, companionship and lives of purpose. Bad choices can leave us stranded in the dark, waiting for a light to come on and lead us home. This is the hope of our faith—that there will always be light and a way back home to God.
Yes Steve, we all have to make many choices on many things none more important than on matters of faith. While free will is a gift, the Bible also suggests it is a responsibility. God often guides, encourages, and uses his sovereignty to draw people toward good, yet allows the choice. —- The good news is that even when we choose poorly God always welcomes us back home. Like the prodigal son, can choose to change.
Amen. :)
Lord lead me in to your light Lord help me out of my darkness in your name I pray Amen Amen Amen
AMEN!
This is a bit confusing for me in John 12:47-48, “I don’t judge a person who hears My Words but does not obey them. I didn’t come to judge the world. I came to save the world. But there is a judge for anyone who does not accept Me and My Words. These Words I have spoken will judge them on the last day.” Jesus doesn’t judge those who hear His Words but does not obey them in V47? But Jesus will judge those who does not accept Him and His Words in V48? Doesn’t He judge or does He judge???...
Read more
Ah those days bring back some good memories Steve thank you. Your words give me hope and inspiration for today. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days, Vicky G., Cheryl, Scott's daughter and the others we haven't heard from recently: Peggy, Jane, Miguel, Rusty and all the others that read and pray in silence. Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all to guide us to a heavenly earth.
Greetings Stormi, I have been not doing my morning routine as I would like to. I am here; I responded yesterday early afternoon Eastern Time. Thank you for your prayers my daughter is adjusting and doing well. We are working on a 1000-piece puzzle together and it is helping her. She is also doing word searches and being around friends. She has settled down a lot and is enjoying her new routine in life's journey. Blessings always in the many names of the Holy One.
Lead me from the darkness into the light. Thank you Steve for your words today. Amen!
So true, Steve. Amen.
Amen
"This is the hope of our faith—that there will always be light and a way back home to God." Amen.
Amen. “ Jesus is the light of the world… The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 Dear Lord may I always be guided by your light.
Remembering those days as well, Steve. But it seems the streetlights have been replaced by the lights of iPads and smart!??! phones. Truely looking for God's light to lead us back home. Still praying for VickyG and Cheryl's family.
Thank you Bill, Stormi and Ken for your continued prayers for my family... boy do we need it.....I had those days as well Steve, but my mom had to call us in else we would have continued to play all night long...Blessings to all LFF
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2026 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
The light of understanding and peace shine within everyone belonging to this LFF. I believe there is a lot of trust in the light that shines in the hearts and is need of shining in the world today. Choices that I made hurt myself and others in the past, I am thankful there is a light of trust, renewal, forgiveness that calls me "home". There is a home promised to all who believe in the light of world who came into the world to love the world as God's beloved as we are called beloved children where we will enter...
Read more