Called to be Light of the World like Jesus.
(Luke 8:16-18).
“In the beginning was the light”: In the account of Creation found in the Book of Genesis, the very first creative word from God resonates: "Let there be light, and there was light." God's act of separating light from darkness laid the foundation for the alternating cycles of day and night (Genesis 1:1-5). When we contemplate this creation story in conjunction with 1 John 1:1-2, a profound realization dawns: the Word that existed in the beginning, the Word through whom all things were made, is none other than Jesus Himself. The Word made flesh was born into the world at night. He, the Light of the World, came to dispel the darkness of sin and death. From this perspective, we gain deeper insight into His earthly mission, as expressed in today's Gospel.
The metaphor of light in Jesus’ teachings: Jesus employs the powerful imagery of light to
communicate with us today. We readily acknowledge the significance of light in
our daily lives. Through this metaphor of light, Jesus conveys that “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.” In essence, the purpose of light
within a room or a house is to illuminate and enable sight. Jesus’ message here
follows His teachings on the parables of the sower, serving as a culmination of
His instructions concerning the Word of God and its anticipated impact on those
who receive it with good and generous heart.
The mission of discipleship: In the
context of discipleship, the imagery of light used in today’s Gospel implies
that anyone aspiring to be a follower of Jesus should radiate as a source of
light for others. In the Gospel of Matthew, the identity of disciples as light
is explicitly stated: “You are the light of the
world...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). This is
the mission of every Christian: to lead a life that uplifts others and
simultaneously directs them to the source of all goodness: God. This is a
particularly positive aspect, as there are individuals in the world capable of
recognizing goodness, regardless of their religious and cultural background. Whoever is filled with the divine light sees the world differently.
Living as children of light: Following Christ’s teachings, St. Paul admonished the
Christians of Ephesus to live as children of light, striving to discern what
pleases the Lord and avoiding participation in fruitless works of darkness.
Instead, they were urged to expose them (Ephesians 5:8-13). The fruits of light
manifest in all that is good, righteous, and true.
Embracing our divine image: If we embrace the belief that we are created in God’s
image and likeness, we can comprehend the divine calling to live as children of
light. 1 John 1:5-10 reiterates: “This is the
message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him, there
is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in
darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as
He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."
To shine as a beacon of light in today's world, we
must continually renew our personal relationship with God. By allowing
ourselves to be illuminated by the light of His Word, we, in turn, can radiate
that light upon a world grappling with complex and challenging questions and
circumstances.
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today, inspired by the profound
truth that Jesus is the Light of the World. Just as You spoke light into
existence at the dawn of Creation, Your Son, Jesus, shines brilliantly to
dispel the darkness in our lives.
May we, as His disciples, carry His radiant light within us, not concealing it but letting it shine for all to see. Grant us the strength and wisdom to live lives that reflect Your goodness, righteousness, and truth.
In our journey as children of light, help us
constantly renew our connection with You through Your Word and Your love. May
we be beacons of hope and understanding in a world facing complex challenges.
We thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who
purifies us from sin and guides us with His eternal light. May our actions
glorify You, our Heavenly Father, as we walk in His light.
In Jesus’ name, we pray! Amen. 🙏🙏🙏
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