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Gospel: Luke 8: 16-18
Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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When the power goes out, everything is dark.
When you open the fridge, you can’t find the milk.
When you wake up in the middle of the night, you run into a wall, stub your toe… or both.
When you walk outside, the streets are dark and eerily quiet.
We need light.
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But, have you ever thought about the fact that different size light bulbs are needed for different purposes?
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You don’t need a 1000-watt bulb to illumine your fridge; that’d be blinding! A 40-watt bulb will do.
But you do need a 1000-watt bulb to light up a parking lot at night.
Different size bulbs are needed for different spaces, all with the same purpose: casting out the darkness.
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In a similar way, God has given each of us different roles to play – in the Church, in our families, and in the world. Some are given smaller responsibilities, while others monumental tasks.
For example, one child sings in the choir on Sunday, while another person is the pope. Both must do their part. Both must shine.
Otherwise, there’s no music… or no shepherd.
This is why Jesus says in the Gospel today, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it. Rather, it’s placed on a lampstand.”
Each Christian must play his or her role. It’s how we build up the kingdom and brighten the world.
So, what role do I play? How is the Lord inviting me to shine today?
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Image credits: (1) iStock, Parts of a Whole (2) Cummins (3) Pinterest, NYC
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