LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

(January 30)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5: 14-16)

This passage is read on the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs, Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, celebrated today (NC). They “let” the “light of the world,” Christ (Jn 8: 12), “so shine” through them, that it lit up the lives of all who encountered them.

When I choose to “let” Christ light up my life, connecting with Him in my heart, I can also be of service to others, shining love onto hatred, forgiveness onto wrong, harmony onto discord, hope onto despair, faith onto fear, and so on. Conversely, I can choose to wallow in my own darkness, like self-reliance, self-pity, and self-centered fears, which ultimately exacerbate the darkness of others around me. Lord, may Your light shine in our darkness today, by the prayers of our Holy Fathers. Amen!