Share a Little Bit of Light Today

The theme of Light and Darkness continues in the Scriptures found in this week's Mass Readings. All of the Sunday Readings referred to us followers of Christ as light.

Isaiah lays it out succinctly. (Isaiah 58:7-10)

If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

The Responsorial Psalm states the simple truth. (Psalm 112:4-9)

The just man/woman is a light in darkness.

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Saint Paul gives instructions on how we come to be the light. (1Corinthians 2:1-5)

Your faith must rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

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In the Gospel, Jesus tells us we are light AND salt. We are created to dispel darkness and enhance what we touch by remaining seasoned with His Word. (Matthew 5:13-16)

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

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We are being reminded of the great importance of being light in the darkness of our world. This needs our attention.

Bishop Robert Barron wrote, "Jesus compares His disciples to salt and light. Notice that these two realities exist not for themselves but for something else. We find salvation for ourselves precisely in the measure that we bring God's life to others. By the very quality and integrity of our lives, we shed light, illumining what is beautiful and revealing what is ugly. The implication is that, without vibrant Christians, the world is a much worse place."

Pause and Ponder: Where is there darkness around you, and how has God equipped you to shine His light there?

I've been giving this much thought. It rides with me in my car, accompanies me on my walks, and visits my morning and evening prayer time. On Monday morning, Mark's account of Jesus healing the multitude at Gennesaret brought it home for me. Everywhere Jesus went, the people only wanted to be near Him, just close enough to touch the tassel of His clothing as He walked by. They didn't question His authority to heal or ask for a sign or wait to see for themselves if what they had heard was real. Their hearts were open and they believed.

(Mark 6:53-56)

People immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

They just needed that little moment, a little bit of His light on their skin, and they knew they would be healed! Just a little light dispels darkness. We aren't individually expected to illuminate the entire world. We each bring a little bit of light, and together illuminate the world. (Look to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta for practical tips.)

The hurt inside someone may be waiting for that one sliver of light you can bring to free them.

Today, we celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes, our great intercessor. As often happens, I had planned to publish this post a couple of days ago, but it didn't quite feel complete. Then I heard Jesus' message at morning Mass and knew it was the beautiful little piece I needed to add to this reflection. It is important in distinguishing false light from True Light.

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” (Mark 7:14-15)

We see a lot of darkness shared in the spotlight (false light). It enters us through our eyes and ears. Rather than reposting and regurgitating the negativity that is rooted in the darkness, we believers need to share and shine the True Light.

Although the number of people in the U.S. who call themselves Christians is declining, we are still a strong majority! According to the latest findings of the Pew Research Center, 62% of respondents identify as Christian. Take a moment to visualize 62% of all adults in America actively shining the Light of Christ in their communities by daily relieving oppression from the mistreated in the workplace, schools, and churches, refusing to make and/or spread false accusations and bias, removing malicious speech from their voices, sharing the food from their table with hungry people on the streets, and sharing their hearts, faith, and resources with those around them who are afflicted with mental and physical difficulties. Isaiah would be so proud of us! More importantly, God would be pleased that we are living the way Jesus showed us to live.

I think of some people I have known who were very faithful in sharing a little bit of Light on any ordinary day:

~ Rosina, who for years showed up early for morning Mass to set up for Father and for us. When I thanked her and told her how much I appreciated her and how important she was to the church, she simply smiled and said, "I don’t know about that. I’m just so happy to be here, and I’m so glad you’re here too." Her light was shining!

~ Rodney, who had a degree in theology but cleaned the floors and bathrooms at the church. When I would get stuck on a piece of Scripture and mention it in passing, he would have a stack of books and resources waiting for me the next morning -- complete with his little notes pointing the way for me. His light was shining!

~ This week, I got news that Jimmy's wife unexpectedly died during surgery. I'm sure when the doctor delivered this most awful news, my friend felt like he was plunged into darkness. He needs his friends, family, and church to carry the Light and help him through this profoundly sad time. Bring your light shining!

I found a brochure sticking out from under my bookshelf this week. It is "A Litany of Light: A Remedy for the Darkness of the World" by Dr. Carrie Gress. I have no idea when or where I picked it up and brought it home, but God knew we needed it today! Here's an excerpt:

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"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)

When darkness falls; when nighttime is at its deepest, and day seems far away; whenever we seem caught and blinded by the powers and principalities of this present darkness, there's only one thing to do. Turn on the light.

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Where is there darkness around you, and how has God equipped you to shine His light there?

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