SHINING HIS LIGHT
Jesus
spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me
will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
We accept this pronouncement of our Lord by recognizing Him as the
light of God that reaches humanity. This light makes life possible in
the same token as the light of the sun makes life possible on earth. We
are alive because we are basking in this light of God. And for man to
continue living, he must follow this light. Choosing to live in darkness
would spell death.
The Bible is rich with the word “light.” This word always refers to
God. Psalm 27 speaks of the theme, “The Lord is my light.” Hence, when
Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Light of the world,” He makes once again
His claim to divinity. But such claim is not just for the sake of
establishing His real identity, but so that those who would see the
light may truly follow this light. For He is no ordinary light — He is
the light of God whose brightness will bring about life. It is only by
following the light that man can live.
When parents and godparents light their candles during the baptism of a
child, they are reminded of their responsibility towards the baptized
child. The prayer formulary is actually an exhortation: “Parents and
godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.
This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He/She is to walk
always as a child of the light. May he/she keep the flame of faith alive
in his/her heart. When the Lord comes, may he/she go out to meet Him
with all the saints in the heavenly Kingdom.”
And so the godparents are advised to be always visible in the life of
the child, not just during Christmas when they hand the child their
gifts. They are to allow the light of Christ to shine in the child by
imparting the teachings of Christ. They, too, are earnestly entreated to
let the light of Christ shine in their own lives through a good and
moral life so that its brightness may illumine the life of their
godchildren. They are to let the light of Christ shine that the child
may truly live. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you influence the life of your children and godchildren? Is it with the light of Christ?
Grant me the grace to follow Your light in my life, O Lord. And let Your light shine through me. Amen.
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