In today's Gospel reading, we see Jesus moving to Galilee and settling in Capernaum to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah. It is here that Jesus began His mission. He was to bring light to those who lived in religious darkness, to the oppressed and spiritually darkened Jews and then to the Gentiles.

For Jesus, God's love is closely linked with repentance. We cannot experience conversion unless we allow ourselves to be 'loved' in order to be able to love others. This is imperative for conversion to be made possible.. What are the areas in our lives that need the light and love of Christ to transform them into actions of love? It is only then that we can radiate this love to others, thus making the kingdom of God a reality in our lives.

This is reiterated in the first reading : "to love God is to love one another as commanded by God.' This made true: "Whoever keeps his commandments lives in God and God lives in him.. We know that he lives in us by the Spirit that he has given us." (V.24)

Let us continue to bear this light of Christ to others esp after the celebration of Epiphany. The question we constantly ask is "how do we distinguish between the good and bad spirits?' St. Ignatius of Loyola offers us 'Rules for the Discernment of Spirits'., which we learn how to do this effectively. He said, "It is characteristic of the good spirit to give courage and strength, consolation, tears, inspiration and peace." In short, Ignatius introduces "rules for understanding the different movements produced in the soul and for recognizing those that are good, to admit them, and those which are bad, to reject them."