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Jesus has called us to let the glory of his father shine so that all who encounter us may see his father through us.

Memorial of St. Andrew Kim Taegon

Proverbs 3:27-34

Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

L uke 8:16-18 "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. (17) For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. (18) Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."

Meditation by Susan Tinley

T hroughout the gospel narratives, God is symbolized as light.  When they took their infant son to the temple, Simeon told Mary and Joseph that Jesus is the light to reveal God the Father to all nations.  They did not understand fully what they were told, but having one’s first baby can be daunting enough; the message that he will reveal God to the nations had to have required immense faith in God’s assistance for the young couple.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as tongues of flame, continuing the mission carried out by Jesus. To this day the Holy Spirit is bringing the light for all nations. The symbol of the Holy Spirit as flame is replayed for us on campus at the beginning of each school year when we celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit.  St John’s Church is filled with staff faculty and students.  (The large number of students who choose to come is always a source of joy and inspiration.) A bowl of flame is carried in the procession and the vestments are red, the banners are reminiscent of flame and candles are lit throughout the church. It is a Mass of celebration, anticipation, and hope for the new academic year when we ask for the wisdom, courage, and guidance of the Holy Spirit to be with us.

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his followers - and us - that no one who lights a lamp hides it but rather lets it radiate its light.  We all have been blessed with the light of Jesus.  He has made his father known to us and has brought his father’s light to us. What an awesome and humbling gift that is. It is also a gift that comes with responsibilities for sharing it with others.

Sometimes, we may want to keep that gift of light for ourselves or hide it from the world.  We may mistakenly think that somehow we deserve that gift, but there is nothing that we do that makes us deserving of God’s love.  It is a gift freely given to all of us. It is a gift that cannot be savored in a selfish way; it has to be allowed to radiate beyond us to all others that we encounter.

It is not easy to share our gift of light when we feel slighted by someone and we are angry.

Other times it may not be easy when we are afraid of what someone else might think of us if we take a public stand and live our lives according to the teachings of Jesus. Some days, it may be a bigger challenge to share our gift and other days there may be a series of smaller challenges that are hardly noticed because we are so tied up with the demands of our daily lives.  But, Jesus has called us to let the glory of his father shine so that all who encounter us may see his father through us.

Jesus, thank you for the gift of your light.  Grant me the strength and courage to overcome my very human frailties so that I might share the joy of your gift of light in all that I do and with all whom I encounter.

Supplementary Reading

Take Off the Limits

I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]" - Psalm 119:96

D id you know you can limit your life by dwelling on the wrong things? So often, wrong thinking keeps people stuck right where they are. If you think you'll never accomplish your dreams, those thoughts will hold you back. If you think you don't have the talent, the connections or the funds, then you are limiting yourself. You are blocking what God can do in your life.

It's time to take the limits off and trust God. He isn't limited to this earthly realm; His ways are higher than our ways. We serve a supernatural God. Just because you don't see a way doesn't mean that God doesn't have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a whole new level. He has explosive blessings in store that can blast you out of where you are and into a place of abundance. If you'll shift your focus from this earthly realm and start looking with your eyes of faith, you'll see His unlimited possibilities for your future. Take the limits off by setting your thoughts on what God Almighty can do in your life!

Father in heaven, today I lift my eyes to You. You alone are the source of my strength, peace and provision. I choose to delight myself in You knowing that You will give me the desires of my heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen. – Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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