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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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Imagine life without light.
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If you opened your fridge, you’d struggle to find the milk.
If you came to Mass, the church would be dark.
If you tried driving at night, the roads would be hauntingly black.
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Light is essential to how we live our lives.
But different size light bulbs are needed for different purposes.
In your fridge, a 40-watt bulb is perfect.
In a church, you need bigger bulbs.
At night, you need even larger ones to brighten our streets.
Each bulb serves the same purpose: to cast out the darkness, but each in their own place.
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In a similar way, God has given each of us a purpose in life – a unique way to shine bright, to share our faith, to be the face and voice of Christ.
Think of Padre Pio, whose feast day we celebrate today. He was the light in the darkness of the confessional, extending God’s infinite love and mercy to thousands of people.
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In what way do I light up the world around me?
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“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed,” Jesus says. “Rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”
Be that light – shine “brightly” – where God has planted you and, together, Christians will light up the world today.
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Image credits: (1) International Catholic Stewardship Council (2) Monash Lens (3) International Leadership Institute