In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus asks his disciples (and he asks us as well): “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?”

The question, of course, is rhetorical in nature, and all those of us who claim to be Christ’s followers might pause more often to reflect on the message of this metaphor. An interpretation of the suggested image is that Christ is the light that shines for all to carry in our hearts. His truth guides us as we journey through life. We are not to ignore or hide his holy radiance but rather allow his presence to shine through us. Jesus Christ is our Lord, and we are his disciples. A slightly expanded understanding proposes that we are also that same light, established through the sacrament of our baptism when we became priests, prophets, and kings and called to share in Christ’s holiness and mission.

We are also gifted through the reception of Eucharist to become what we receive. When we consume the real presence of Jesus Christ, we partake of his body, blood, soul, and divinity; we become both the light and the lamp of God. As true disciples, we are to be for others what God intends for us to be: witnesses to the truth, servants through our deeds, and royal in our efforts to advance the kingdom.

May our lamps always be enflamed with love, joy, and peace as we continue our journey toward our eternal heavenly home.

Prayer:

Gracious God, we acknowledge through the praying of our priest that: “By the mystery of this water and wine… we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity” (from the Holy Mass). May the mingling of water and wine unite us as one people with our one God on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.