Barn with Moon, 10:02pm by Michelle L Hofer – color photograph, 1999

Years ago, I did some experiments with night photography and was most pleased with this photo taken on our farm. I am intrigued by the 3 distinctly different types of light in the image. What the human eye sees and what the camera records are often vastly different.

These 3 lights can speak on a spiritual level. God’s light, the moon, is so pure and bright declaring its ability to strip away the darkness. The green sickly light of the mercury vapor lamp hints at the polluting presence of evil in the world. And then the glow emanating from the barn reminds us that hope is not lost for we are called to be light and to echo the Divine Light in the world.

 On another occasion, Jesus spoke to the crowds again. Jesus: I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness. — John 8:12

And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me , and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it. — Matthew 5:14-16