Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Homily by Fr. Myroslav Vons on the Sunday after Theophany
January 10, 2026
The words we hear in the Gospel today give us strength to believe again, to rediscover truth, and to see a way forward: God never abandons a person in their pain and suffering. God never leaves anyone “sitting in darkness.”
Christ is Born!
The Gospel we hear today speaks about the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ. But let us look at the circumstances in which the Lord begins His preaching.
John the Baptist has been arrested. The authorities are trying to silence the truth by force, sending a clear message: anyone who stands against darkness must be quiet or disappear. For many, it seems that justice has stepped back. People feel that evil is winning again, because God did not protect His prophet. Fear and hopelessness take hold of the nation, and people do not know where to turn as they face uncertainty.
At the same time, Jesus Christ leaves Nazareth and settles in Capernaum.
He begins to preach. And surprisingly, He does not go to Jerusalem, the capital. He does not go to the synagogues, nor to the Pharisees or Sadducees. Instead, He goes to Galilee, to the small fishing village of Capernaum, with no more than about 1,500 residents. It was considered the outskirts — a place seen as spiritually lost, dark, and uneducated. It is about this region that the prophet Isaiah said: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles! The people who sat in darkness…”
The Gospel says clearly: they sat in darkness. Not walked through it. Not passed by it. They sat. To sit in darkness means to lose all hope — to accept your situation and stop believing that light is possible. It is when a person becomes used to a dark life and no longer expects change.
And it is precisely there that Christ comes. He not only arrives — He brings the Light of God’s presence, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus begins His ministry not where everything is peaceful and orderly, but where fear, darkness, and despair reign. He comes to the place where people have forgotten that God is Light — Light that brings hope, peace, and comfort.
This is very close to what we see in Ukraine today.
Our brave and strong people are once again experiencing the darkness of war — the darkness of death, fear, and loss. The pain of losing loved ones. Hopelessness and anxiety. It feels as though destruction and suffering will never end. People are tired of waiting; many have lost faith and hope.
But the words we hear in the Gospel today give us strength to believe again, to rediscover truth, and to see a way forward: God never abandons a person in their pain and suffering. God never leaves anyone “sitting in darkness.”
Jesus Christ does not wait for the storm on the sea to calm down. He speaks — and the storm disappears.
He does not come after the victory. He is with us in the struggle.
He comes into the darkest night and brings light. Because the light the people saw was the presence of God in the midst of suffering.
Every day we see this light in Ukraine:
in people who save others;
in those who help despite exhaustion and pain;
in mothers praying for their children and for the country;
in soldiers who defend their land.
This is the light that no darkness can extinguish.
Jesus begins His preaching with the words: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Repentance is not fear of punishment for doing something wrong. Repentance means to change — to stop sitting in darkness. To stand up and meet the Light of God’s mercy.
For each of us, this encounter means seeing the truth about ourselves — to stop saying “God is in my heart” while rejecting His truth, His way, and His salvation. It means recognising that the light is already near, but sometimes we prefer to remain in the dark.
On Christmas Eve we sing: “God is with us — understand this, all nations, and submit yourselves, for God is with us.” We sing it when it is dark outside. We sing it when there is so much pain and so many tears. We sing it even when it feels like there is no hope.
These are not just beautiful words or a familiar melody. This is our proclamation of faith — our awareness that God is not far away. God has not abandoned us. God is not silent. He is here with us. He speaks through the Gospel. He brings light into our hearts and homes. He gives us confidence that darkness will never win.
Finally, each of us has our own darkness, our own inner struggle. Jesus Christ comes to every one of us — not to condemn, but to offer mercy and salvation. And so today each of us has a choice: to remain sitting in darkness, or to stand up and follow Christ.
God is with us — and where God is, there is always light.
