How do you influence the life of your children and godchildren? Is it with the light of Christ? - Daily Reflections March 14,2016

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.