Isaiah proclaimed a great hope and vision: a light shining in the darkness. It is our firmest belief that that light is Jesus, the light of the world. Matthew uses Isaiah’s words to explain the mission of Jesus: the light began to dawn on the world through the call of Jesus to repent since the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

The light is indeed shining, but it takes time for it to fill our hearts. A total conversion to the light is not something that happens overnight. St Paul’s difficulties with the Corinthian community exemplifies this so well. Paul preached nothing but Christ and Christ crucified, but the Christians looked at other " lights” instead; they looked at Peter and Paul and Apollos. The true light of Jesus still had not fully penetrated their minds and hearts.

Conversion must touch our mind, our behaviour, our heart. We must be converted to the truth that sets us free and then live in the freedom of Jesus. Then, knowing the truth and leading lives that are good, we must continually grow in the love of God.