“To believe in something, and not try to live it, is dishonest.”

“Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. To those who suffer, God does not provide arguments which explain everything; rather, his response is that of an accompanying presence, a history of goodness which touches every story of suffering and opens up a ray of light.” – Pope Francis

Gospel Text: (LK 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.”

Today’s reading from Luke reiterates Jesus’ message to us that we need to put our lamp on a lampstand and be seen, not concealed. If we are authentic, genuine Christians, our devotion to God will show through our love for others and our heart to serve. We won’t have to say anything at all! Not that we should keep quiet, either; I think we have to delicately balance when to be quiet and when to speak, and then ask God to guide our speech when appropriate. But this is a good reminder to us that as Christians, it is our love that separates us from others.

We do not have to engage in aggressive discussions or disagreements with others to get our point across.