The Holy and Righteous Forebears of God Joachim and Anna; The Holy Martyr Severian.
Post-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God.
Galatians 4:22-31; Luke 8:16-21.
Read Luke 8:16-21
Many people, especially children, are afraid of the dark. We are afraid of what we cannot see, and we don’t know what dangers may lurk around us. Light, however, allows us to see and to understand. Jesus tells us: “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). He not only tells us that He is the Light of the world, but He also tells us that we are the light of the world: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5:14-16).
When Jesus says to let our light shine before others, He is not instructing us to be boastful or vainglorious. Rather, St. John Chrysostom explains, “Let your virtue be great, and the fire abundant, and the light unspeakable. For when virtue is so great, it cannot be hid, even though its pursuer should shade it over ten thousand fold” (Chrysostom, Homily XV on Matthew V). The light of our virtues witnesses to the glory of God. Others may come to understand the greatness of Jesus, Who is the Light of the world, by our virtuous living in the world. Even if others would try to cover up our good deeds, our deeds would still shine and speak for themselves, witnessing to God for us.