“You are the light of the world,” Jesus tells his disciples in today’s Gospel, exhorting them to shine that light for everyone to see. Jesus himself is the light who shone through the darkness from the very moment he was born. Now he challenges his disciples to be that light—the light of Christ—for others. We are given that same challenge. May we be conscious of receiving the Lord today in the word and the Eucharist, so that we may go forth to shine the light of Christ, transforming the darkness around us.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah has some advice to help us disperse the darkness and live in the light. Hint: Light is meant to be shared. Paul is determined to bring the light of faith to the Corinthians by displaying the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells his disciples to let their light shine for all to see. May God’s word inspire us to be like the just one in the responsorial psalm, lighting the way for others through the darkness.
Reflections
Over and over again, Saint Paul insisted in his letters that it was the message and not the messenger that inspired Christian communities all around the Mediterranean. He himself could not stay in one place forever; nor could he be everywhere at once. Indeed, that is why he kept writing all those lengthy letters! But both his message and the Holy Spirit could remain in one place forever and could be everywhere at once. Once inspired, Christian communities became lights to shine the power, the love, and the mercy of Christ for others all around the world to see. May our Christian community do the same.
Last week we heard Jesus teach the Beatitudes, declaring whom God has blessed. Uniting that passage with today’s adds another dimension to what we are called to do. We can enlighten others with the lessons of the Beatitudes like a light on a lampstand. Choosing to make peace rather than seek conflict inspires others to do so as well. Witnessing to our faith in eternal life with a merciful God comforts others who mourn. Working for justice and righteousness inspires solidarity with others who hunger for those ideals as well. Let us live out the Beatitudes openly, so that others may see their value and follow suit.
If we are the light of the world, as Jesus tells his disciples, it is because we are reflecting the light of Christ, who also told them that he was the light of the world and all who followed him would have the light of life. When we were baptized we were given a candle, lit from the Easter candle, and told to always walk in the light of Christ. Throughout our lives, we should be conscious of that flame burning in our hearts, which we reflect to the world when we shine that light into the shadows of sin and injustice, shadows of poverty and evil, shadows that Christ’s light can dispel.
Question of the Week
• What specific concrete action can I take this week to reflect the light of Christ to the world?
-from Pastoral Patterns
readings of the mass
LISTEN HEREto the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, February 5, 2023
SELECT HEREfor the Readings of Sunday, February 5, 2023
Offerings
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