TWO days ago, I wrote about Noah’s rainbow—a sign of Christ, the Light of the world (see Covenant Sign.) There is a second part to it though, which came to me several years ago when I was at Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario.
This rainbow culminates and becomes a single ray of bright Light lasting 33 years, some 2000 years ago, in the person of Jesus Christ. As it passes through the Cross, the Light splits into a myriad of colors once again. But this time, the rainbow illuminates not the sky, but the hearts of humanity.
Each visible color of the spectrum represents one of the great Saints, such as Liseux, Avila, or Francis of Assisi. They are gorgeous, deep, penetrating colors which catch our attention and draw our awe. They are lives which carry forth the Light of the World in extraordinary and visible ways.
It is tempting to see these Saints, the vividness and attractiveness of their sanctity, and to feel ourselves very dim and insignificant. But what if the world were all painted in the red light of Avila? Or what if everything was hued in the blue or yellow of Faustina or Pio? Suddenly, there would be no contrast, no variety, less beauty. Everything would be the same.
And so, in some ways, the most important light is simply the ordinary light by which we all live. True, our lives may simply consist in doing the dishes, sweeping the floor, tending our duties, or cooking the meals. Nothing mystical there.
But this was exactly the life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus–and she is the most honored Saint in the Church.
Why? Because her will and heart were purest, thus permitting the pure and entire Light of Christ to emerge from within her–then and now.
