YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

.Jesus was very clear about that when he said,

“A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a basket; it is set on a lampstand,

Where it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds.”

(Matt 5: 15-16)

I have an image of the Apostles laying awake at night worrying about those words and what they meant for the future. They were, by and large, simple men and Jesus’ words that they were the light of the world, must have confounded them. They undoubtedly felt they were not ready to face the whole world on their own!  They hung in there anyway.  Finally, on Pentecost came the answer with the Spirit. Jesus believed in them!  The realization that God trusted them to do it was all they needed and they wasted no time finding it within themselves to bring the Light.

Do we think that the Apostles got the Spirit extra-large, and we got the Spirit small?

If you believe that Jesus was telling the truth that the Father is in him, and he is in you, there should be no more questions in your heart as to whether you can bring the light or not, since the Light is in you through your Baptism. 

Pray that you will recognize the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then be sure you know that the Light is truly Jesus and all he stands for and commands.  Everyone who believes in Jesus has access to the Light.  Therefore everyone is commanded to shine it on the world around them. I heard an old country song that says in part, “Jesus got his own folks working for Him all over the world.”  Not just believing, but working as well.

Follow the example of the Apostles; be yourself, trust in the Holy Spirit, have confidence that the Light is within you and live with the thought uppermost in your mind that the Apostles mission is your mission, too.

Blessings on you all,

Carol Lemelin, OPA