"Then there was light" famously appears in the opening lines of Genesis. Frequently good is depicted as illuminating or saving light, while darkness is defined by the absence of light instead of something of its own properties. But closely looking at physics suggests that the manner of speaking figuratively about light properties misses out some important physical properties of the electromagnetic spectrum that visible light occupies.
(1) On a TV science show one of the experts compared the full spectrum to the distance from NYC to LA and on that long continuum of wavelengths the part that human eyes respond to would occupy the width of a coin worth 10 cents; a dime in other words. IMPLICATION: materials and beings that do not reflect visible light therefore are invisible to the unaided eye. All sorts of things could be present for which we have no corresponding reality or lived experience.
(2) A college science experiment to demonstrate the mass or energy of light particles (photons) involves very thin magnesium foil, which when exposed to light is caused to bend. IMPLICATION: while human eyes, skin and hair may not deflect under the load of bright light, nor bounce back in the absence of brilliant illumination, surely there is some physical reaction to bombardment by light energy. To the extent that God is The Light, then divine presence bathes all living creatures, filling the spaces between them. Through the repetition of day and night a certain pulse permeates one's being, whether that abiding presence (or corresponding absence) felt or unfelt.
(3) Sometime the image of the wind is used to suggest the way the Holy Spirit is present in the world; not by direct perception, but instead by the movement of trees or waves. The same seems to be true of light: when indirectly illuminating the ground by reflecting from the sky or low-hanging clouds, or when shining from moon or sun directly overhead it can be perceived by turning to the source, or by observing the reflection on surfaces of one's body or environment. But the photons themselves are imperceptible. IMPLICATION: whereas God is present in all places and at all times, for mortal minds it is more glorious and most noticeable by reflection, including by shadows from shapes blocking the rays of light.
=-=-=-= This morning at Men's Bible Study one guy shared the realization that he'd been looking at his relationship to Jesus backwards. Typically a person aspires to the example that Jesus set and all the things one lacks in reference to the Sinless Master can be daunting or discouraging. So instead the question of WWJD (what would Jesus do; or let me try to be like Jesus in facing a decision or burden) the question can be put another way: ask WJWD (what Jesus would do) if he had to work with my skill set, preoccupations, psychological baggage and collection of responsibilities and so on. If Jesus were me now, as I am in all imperfections and foibles, What Jesus Would Do can give pause or insight before finally taking action, or deciding not to take action, for that matter.
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