24-Sep-18

Gospel LK 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."
Reflection:
"Jesus said to the crowd:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light."
All who believe in Jesus Christ know that He is the light of the world. As believers, we are each called to be a reflection of His light.
When I was a kid one of my favorite things to do on a summer night was to play flashlight tag with my friends. While the person holding the flashlight counted to ten, everyone else would scatter. At the slightest sound, the beam of the flashlight would reach out in an attempt to illuminate one of the kids hiding in the dark.
"For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light."
Sometimes it can be a challenge to see the things about us that are "hidden."
As in the flashlight game, God may use earthly angels to shine His light on what we cannot see about ourselves, inviting us to embrace His light more fully.
I am grateful to those who bring light and help me see what may be hiding in the shadows of my life.
"To anyone who has, more will be given....."
Those who love the light will come out of the shadows. They will embrace and radiate the light.
Through the grace of God, the lights have finally been turned on in the Church, exposing what has been done in the dark for centuries. It is truly "good news" that all over the world, thousands of people are now shining the light of Christ into the Church's dark corners.
".......and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."
For those who choose to stay in the dark, their light shall fade.
However, there is always the promise of redemption for those who can embrace the truth. For as Jesus told us, "The truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)
We can each rejoice and take hop24e that the lights have finally been turned on in the house of God.
We cannot entrust the care of God's house to others: the people of God are the Church, and it is up to us, the laity, to keep the lights burning brightly.
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." Desmond Tutu