“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.”

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark. ~ Rabindranath Tagore: (1861 –1941: was a Bengali polymath, a poet, musician and artist from the Indian subcontinent)

Gospel Text: (MK 4:21-25)

Jesus said to his disciples,
"Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear."
He also told them, "Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Those of you baptized and confirmed ... you’ve received the Light of Christ. And this brings with it certain responsibilities, one of which is to let the light that Christ you’ve been given shine to the world. Remember how you use flashlights when it’s dark outside or the power goes out! That light helps you to find your way in the darkness. Well, this world of ours is in spiritual darkness ... in that it is often operating apart from the ways of God, who is Light. So, God has gifted us with His Holy Spirit and He’s counting on us to bring spiritual light to our dark world. If we do, then the world will be able to see and find their way ... to goodness and ultimately to God. You know that you don’t turn on a flashlight and then place it under a blanket. You just burn out the batteries and you’ve accomplished nothing.

In a similar way, God doesn’t inflame us with His light and His love just so that we can keep it to ourselves. The Gospels speak often of how God always expects us to reap a fruitful harvest with the grace that He gives us. God doesn’t want us to be faint of heart, which is why he gives us the gift of Courage. He wants us to be confident and courageous as we go out to be the light of the world!