February 10, 2002

The familiar children's song based on today's Gospel proclaims "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...Put it under a bushel - NO! I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, all the time." But, whose light is it really? And, how do we let the light shine?

In today's reading from the letter to the Corinthians, Paul says it is the power of God working through him, not his own wisdom or talents that allowed the Corinthians to put their faith in the Gospel. The Corinthians themselves were so self-satisfied and proud about their gifts that they had forgotten who gave them what they had and what their gifts were for. Paul reminds them, and us, that everything we have - even our faith - is from the Lord and for others. It is the Lord's light that shines through those who, like Paul, put their trust in God. To walk in that light is to allow God's generosity, mercy and justice to shine through us. And, that means sharing all we have as individuals and as a community, the way God has done and continues to do for us.

The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Church is entitled LUMEN GENTIUM, "Light of the Nations." This is because that is what the Church is called to be. Christ's light is given to us - not only for our own personal benefit now or salvation someday - but so that others may "see the light" and turn their gave and their lives toward the dawning Sun of Justice: Christ, our Light.

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT GOD IS URGING YOU TO SHARE?

Click here to view the archive