Light and the Lord

Consider the word LIGHT. Light is a very illuminating word, you might say. Sorry about that! We tend to say, “I see the light” when we understand something. We say someone has seen the light when he or she comes to share our perspective on something. We speak of coming out of the darkness and into the light as we find clarity in making an important decision. We associate light with growth, development and joy. We often speak about light at the end of the tunnel as we emerge from a period of inner darkness. Here we are not only speaking about physical darkness but also spiritual darkness where our greatest fears lie. In the context of faith, we speak of light as a saving grace – Christ is the Light of the World. We have come to believe that it is through the sacred words that we are brought out of darkness – the very word of God is enlightening, His very being aglow with light that shines upon us and all that is good. It is as clear as the light of day. Jesus said that we are "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world". Being salt and light is not optional. When we open ourselves to the light, good things can happen. We shine brightest when we are focused on serving others and accompanying them in their faith walk. It is through spontaneous acts of kindness that our light shines. “Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves and gravity, we shall harness for God energies of love. Then for the second time in the history of the world we will have discovered fire” (Teilhard de Chardin).

Jesus announced to the disciples: "You are the light of the world." The light of Christ has come into the world. God has kindled the Fire of Divine Love in our souls. Jesus instructs us to share the light that we have been given – using it to reflect our good deeds. The Love of God makes us firm in the faith of the gospel. The Communion of the Holy Spirit is the bond of Love that makes us one in Christ. The in dwelling of God's Holy Spirit enables us to be lovers of world we live in, lovers of the people we encounter and lovers of the Word we ponder. It is important, however to keep in mind that it is not our light, but the reflection of the Light of Jesus Himself, that people will see in us.

I will close with a story from the desert fathers: Abba Lot came to Abba Joseph and said: Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and, according as I am able, I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do? The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said: Why not become fire?