duration: c.3'00"

The second of a series of eight pieces based on Jesus' statements of identity in John's Gospel and Revelation - alluding to the name and nature of the Godhead, the Great 'I AM' (see also I AM the Resurrection and the Life and I AM the Bread of Life). Here the dual nature of light itself (both wave and particle) and Christ (both God and man) are portrayed by an unchanging, yet dynamic set of notes in the soprano and alto parts, while the lower three voices move through the cycle of major triads in the manner of a chorale within a chorale prelude such as Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. Gradually the two textures merge into one...

I AM the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. As long as I am in the world, I AM the light of the world. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (John 8:12. 9:5, 12:46)