Shine

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Shine

Morally   Spiritually

Influenced   Transform   God's Truth  

You Are the Light

Illuminate

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 5:14

Jesus was teaching His disciples and comparing them to salt and light. He said:

"You are the light of the world. Just as a city on a mountaintop cannot be hidden, so your light must shine."

Reflection

I recently entered a room and had difficulty for a few moments finding where the light switch was. There was a slight feeling of panic. It was dark, and I fumbled around for a while. When I   finally found it and the light came on, there was a sense of relief.

In our reading from Matthew, we are given quite the challenge. We are called to shine so that others may be guided to follow Jesus. What a responsibility!

It is so true. We need examples to follow. Think of how someone learns to be an electrician. Study is certainly important. Following an experienced electrician puts all that knowledge we have gained into context and gradually we become confident and competent.

People need moral examples. As we read about our contemporary and classical saints, we become inspired. I think of the actions of Oscar Romero in standing up for the rights of the poor and marginalized. He was not always accepted by those who were wealthy and in power; but he remained true to the words of Jesus to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. His light still shines even though he was brutally shot and killed while presiding at Mass.

People also need spiritual examples. Many of us find it difficult to pray as we battle distractions and the hectic pace of our daily lives. We think of saints like Thomas Aquinas who worked so hard on his teaching and writing but realized all of it was just like straw in a fire compared to the Love our God wants to share with us in prayer. His light still shines through the beautiful hymns of praise that were the fruit of his spiritual life. and that we still sing today.

We reflect on the people who have influenced us. Many people have inspired us and transformed our vision. We can all think of special conversations we have had with people who took time to reach out to us.

I can remember a teacher, Fr. Harold Buckley, who reached out to me when I was a sophomore in high school and invited me to be part of a play he was directing. I felt honored that he took the time to do that and really enjoyed the experience. It led to several more experiences in plays.

Those moments lead us to God's Truth: we are Loved. Because we are Loved we can share the Light with other people and illuminate the darkness in our world. We can reach out to others with compassion and caring because Jesus will be with us to help us deal with the obstacles and challenges we inevitably face.

With Jesus with us, it's time to let our light shine!

1. Who are some of the people who have been examples of the Light for you?

2. Has there been anyone who has influenced your moral development?

3. What are some ways that you have been helped to grow in your spiritual life?

4. When have you felt God's Love?

5. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo of the lighthouse?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)