Who in your family, neighborhood or workplace would need more light? - Daily Reflections January 30,2014

AM I LIGHT OF THE WORLD?

 

I remember the story of an American boy whose parents had taken him on a trip to Europe where they visited several Gothic cathedrals. The boy was impressed by the soaring architecture and the beauty of the stained glass windows. Back in school one day, his religion teacher asked, “What is a saint?” The boy remembered those huge beautiful windows in the cathedrals he had visited and answered, “A saint is a person through whom the light shines through.” Wow! With this the boy had unknowingly uttered one of the greatest truths about Christian life.

       In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pointed out what Christian life is like and its responsibilities to God and man. Among many things, He told His followers, “You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” As adopted children of God, we are sent into the world to bring light into the darkness, to be a light to others, to make God visible through our good works.

       Of course, we have no light of our own. Jesus proclaims in John’s Gospel, “I am the light of the world.” We are like the moon that reflects Christ’s light. We have received the light of Christ not only for ourselves but to share it with others. We are urged by Christ to give away what He has given us.

       We who have received the light of Christ and are called “light of the world” are tasked to share this light with a lost and dying world, with those who are lost and searching for meaning in life.

       St. Lucia’s Day on December 13 is celebrated in Sweden by girls who would dress in a white dress and wear a crown of candles on their head. They go from house to house and so bring light into the homes. Let us all be St. Lucias and allow Christ’s light to shine through us. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Who in your family, neighborhood or workplace would need more light?

 

Lord, You are my light and my life. Help me not to hide Your light but enlighten the lives of many who are living in spiritual darkness.