SIDE A SIDE B: Live in the Light

Notes and reflections on the second talk of the “Side A Side B” preaching series at the Feast Valle Verde April 25, 2021

John 3:19-21

19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred

darkness to light, because their works were evil.

20 For everyone who does the wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be

exposed.

21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be

clearly seen as done in God.

Following this verse from John 3:16 that says God gave His only begotten Son Jesus to have an eternal life, there is no doubt to declare that Jesus is the light that came into the world. What more can we ask for? And yet, “people preferred darkness to light.” This is true even nowadays that people have their own dispositions towards certain issues that the world is facing into. It is sad to note that even though Jesus as our way, truth and life, had already made clear in us the right path of being the “light,” [some] people make the things of the world more complicated, most especially in the judgment of moral issues. These matters can be seen in applying God’s commandments on our lives. Choosing wicked things for personal gain and weakness of the flesh create damaging consequences in the long run, thus leading us in darkness. We can enumerate a lot of issues here and there. No one is perfect, but that is why Jesus’ presence simply directs us, gently pulling us from the dark side, and tenderly guiding us in the light.

Live in the light

Can we identify ourselves in the following characters?

Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll

Dr. Jekyll, whom with an intention to detach the good and evil facets of his identity,

invented a potion but his persona changed to a muscular monster named Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll’s evil counterpart.

Darth Vader vs Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)

As baby Anakin Skywalker, his blood was so powerful that he was destined to be the

mightiest Jedi and prophesied to strike the balance in the “force”. However, he evolved into Darth Vader, Anakin’s wicked match.

The Hulk vs Dr. Bruce Banner

Dr. Bruce Banner, an introverted scientist, unintentionally uncovered himself to excessive levels of gamma radiation and formed into his alter ego, The Hulk, whom was known of his extreme anger issues.

Berto vs Bro. Obet

Berto, as he described himself as a “violent person” and yet through God’s grace andmercy, came to be Bro. Obet we have today, a loving preacher whom was able to radically transform people’s lives.

Since we all have our dark sides, we always have these tendencies to commit sin. The snares of the evil are just lurking somewhere, trying to knock our doors. Temptations are normal as long as we live. Remember, Jesus was also tempted by the devil but He was able to withstand by exemplifying what it means to live in the light.

We cannot forget the immensity of Saul who turned out to be St. Paul, one of the

greatest missionaries of the Catholic Church. Who would have thought that someone who persecuted the church by tolerating blasphemy and execution of Jesus’ early believers, would be the very same person who will evangelize and spread the gospel among the Gentiles (non-Jews) up across the Roman empire?

These stories of conversion, may it be for good or bad, are not uncommon. We witness people shifting religions from one to another. We have seen individuals with sudden noticeable changes in their decisions and behaviors in relation to their values and beliefs. With this in mind, how can we classify people who, whether we like it or not, might influence us on the threshold of choosing a life we’ll embrace?

Bro. Obet shared that there are four kinds of people in the world:

(1) GAT – Good All Throughout,

(2) BAT – Bad All Throughout,

(3) GTB – Good Turned Bad, and

(4) BTG –Bad Turned Good.

Good All Throughout (GAT) people are those who can preserve the loving kindness and goodness in their hearts, which are eminent whatever circumstances they are in.

Bad All Throughout (BAT) people are those who are usually described as the consistent negative and toxic ones, with mostly are intentional of hurting and affecting others.

Good Turned Bad (GTB) are those people who were previously morally upright but due to their frequent exposure to crooked ways of living, become villainous in nature.

Bad Turned Good (BTG) represents people whom lives are changed for the better. They are living testimonies of God’s unlimited chances. They can be our role models of change, imparting hope in restored humanity.

Romans 7:17-19

17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

18 For I know that good

does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the

good is not.

19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.

There will always be an inner clash. We have to remind ourselves that the feeling of

good and bad contradicting one another in our thoughts are inevitable.

Nevertheless, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “The very first devils that you should vanquish are the devils inside your mind.” These can be done easily if there are no internal issues beforehand, that is, no to little effort to be good and stay good. However, these will serve as a challenge especially for Bad Turned Good (BTG) people.

Acceptance of the struggle must be recognized first. Learning to identify their goal of change and visualizing the positive outcome of their good actions can be a big help for BTGs to aim and keep doing good despite being sinful in the past. An inspiration we can look up to is Pope John Paul II, a saint who became holier as he advanced in age. As Jesus’ follower, there is no turning back.

Romans 7:20-21

20 Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.

The inner clash is between the flesh vs spirit. Our flesh by default is mostly prone to

commit mistakes. It has tendencies for us to become like animals. Both human and

animals are driven by instincts but only humans are rational beings. We are also to

remind ourselves that humans are both body and spirit. There are times that our spirit wants to do good but the flesh feels indolent. It’s not unusual to feel good in the convenience of doing pleasurable things of the world against the tedious acts of the spiritual matters. Still, “what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Romans 7:22-23

22 For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,

23 but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of the mind, taking me captive to the law of the sin that dwells in my members.

Declare a war of principles: Delight vs Desire. It is inherent in us to consider our victories in life as an indicator of our happiness. Getting that promotion or dream job, being in a relationship or being married with the love of your life, and being financially stable are some illustrations of most people enjoying a happy life. There is nothing wrong with it. Nonetheless, we have to be motivated by delight and not by desire. Our desires are generally focused on things and situations we can control. How about when unforeseeable circumstances happen on top of our desires?

Being delighted with the author of true happiness and joy itself, Jesus, will surely bring us success with significance not only here on earth but unto the next.

Romans 7:24-25

24 Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?

25 Thanks be toGod through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with my mind, serve the law ofGod but, with my flesh, the law of the sin.

Declare victory during the war: Jesus won the battle for you. We don’t declare victory after war because spiritual battles here on earth are never-ending. All those sufferings and imperfections are present simply because this place is not our permanent home. And so, unworthy as we are, keep in mind that the war has already been won. We just need to keep our stronghold hope in God, never lose tight and always be grounded in faith. We proclaim our trust in Him, and believe in His goodness. Why? As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “All subsequent sin would be disobedience towards God and lack of trust in His goodness. Focus on His goodness and watch that sins have no power against His love and mercy.

1 John 3: 5-7

5 Now this is the message that we have heard from Him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,”while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the Light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of His Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

Live in the light because Jesus is light, as the Heavenly Father is light. Living in the light means we’re going to be the light of the world. How will this be possible? Let us

categorize once again the four kinds of people aforementioned and how they can apply the principles of bringing light into the world.

Good All Throughout (GAT): Sustain

Keep doing good. Sustain, not by our own efforts but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bad All Throughout (BAT): Subdue

Subdue the darkness, dedicating ourselves not to commit the same mistakes again.

Good Turned Bad (GTB): Switch

Love will lead you back. God allows U-turns. Switch. The road towards light is Jesus.

Bad Turned Good (BTG): Sacrifice

The tendencies are still in the flesh, yet, sacrifice. The old has gone, the new has come.