You are the light of the world

At the Sunday evening “express” Mass, I used the example of a teen putting her light on a lamp stand as Jesus said in the Gospel to do. She had given a talk from the pulpit the prior Sunday to the youth group. They were all in the church for Adoration and Confession, and she was telling them her good experiences with both. She even designed a beautiful handout. It was a perfect example of living the Gospel and that her light reached the other teens. Her words were so much more impactful than mine would have been. And, she might have brought light to some teens who were in darkness with regards to sin or even faith.

Then, after Mass at youth group this Sunday, we had an impromptu discussion about serving the poor and community service because of the first reading (“share your bread with the hungry”). Many teens spoke up about volunteering experiences that they’ve had, thus putting their own lights on lamp stands to their peers. They’ve had impressive opportunities of service! And, I’m so glad and thankful that they spoke to each other about them.

Finally, at the healing Mass this past Sunday, I thanked those who attended for bringing their lights to the rest of us. For many there, it was a difficult thing to come to Mass because of their physical conditions. It would have been much easier to stay home and ask Jesus to heal them there. This would have been hiding their lights under a bushel basket. But, they made a serious act of faith and hope by coming to church, trusting that He would reward them with healing. Thus, their lights, too, were put on a lamp stand to shine throughout the house of God.

We are surrounded by many lights of Christ in our parish! “The light of the world.”