The Lord enlightens us when we hear or read the Bible and such commentaries on the Scriptures as this book, One Bread, One Body. God's word, especially the Scriptures, is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps 119:105). "For God, Who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6).

The Lord holds us accountable to be good stewards of this light. We must not put the light under bushel baskets of selfishness or fear or beds of laziness and complacency. Rather, we should put the light of God's word on the lampstand of the Church for all to see (see Rv 1:11-12). In other words, we must not so much go to church and live in the world as live in the Church and go to the world. To let the light of God's word shine through us, we must be living in the Church through daily, practical Christian community. In this context, our light shines, and we receive even more light, especially through our brothers and sisters in Christ. This light shines not only to the rest of the Church but also through the Church to a world in darkness.

As light naturally changes the world, we who receive the light of God's word supernaturally change the world by making the Church a lighthouse. Then the ancient prophecy is fulfilled: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone" (Is 9:1).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, February 27, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2003