Post-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God; Holy and Righteous Forebears of God Joachim and Anna; the Holy Martyr Severian (321-23)
Read
Galatians 4:22-31; Luke 8:16-21
In today’s Gospel parable we read of the lamp, which, placed on a lampstand, gives light to all. Light obviously isn’t for itself. Rather, we see things by it. It illuminates things upon which it shines.
We are light by which people around us come to see what is worth seeing. By the very quality and integrity of our lives, we shed light, illumining what is beautiful and revealing what is ugly. The clear implication is that without vibrant Christians the world is a much worse place. Throughout history, we see times when Christianity had become so weak, so uncompelling, so attenuated that great evil was allowed to flourish. Let us pray today that through the grace and power of the Holy Spirit our lives be reignited so we may shine brightly with our virtuous life inspiring others to glorify our Heavenly Father.