Let the Light Shine 

   “You are the light of the world……Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matt 5: 14 & 16) 

   Jesus bestowed an incredible honor on His disciples when He referred to them as the light of the world.  Jesus is the true light of the world, but He chose to let His light shine through all who believe in Him,  His disciples.

   As the disciples of Christ how are we to let His light shine through us so that others may see our good deeds and glorify God?  First, we should never consider that any good we might do originates with us.  It is, instead, a cooperation with Christ for the benefit of all, not to give us praise but to give all glory and praise to the Lord.

   Second, we are not to hide the light of Christ within us.  “A city built upon a mountain cannot be hidden.  Nor would someone light a lamp and then put it under a basket; rather, it is placed upon a lampstand so that it may afford light to all in the house.” (Matt 5: 14 – 15).  As His disciples, we are to be that city on the mountain, we are to be the lampstand that gives light to others.

   We cannot be part-time disciples, going to Mass on Sunday and living life without God the rest of the week.  He must be evident within us every day if we are to let His light shine through for others to see.  When we hide our faith, we are covering the light of Christ.  We are to share it, never keeping it to ourselves and never allow others to see our faith and our love of God.

   Let the light of Jesus shine through.  That is the role of a disciple, that is how we are to evangelize.  As St. Francis is credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times.  Use words if necessary.”  Our actions say it louder and clearer than any words we might use.