a lamp to their feet
"No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket or under a bed; he puts it on a lampstand so that whoever comes in can see it." —Luke 8:16
I'm sitting before the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the tabernacle. This church is not my parish. I didn't know where the tabernacle was located. So I looked for the burning light inside the sanctuary lamp. Once my eyes located the lamp, I knew where Jesus was. We are called to be like sanctuary lamps. When people see us, they can find Jesus. Like St. John the Baptizer, we can be "the lamp, set aflame and burning bright" (Jn 5:35).
The sanctuary light in this church is not bright at all. It's a rather dim light, in fact. However, the church sanctuary is in semi-darkness, and the light, though dim, is easily spotted by someone looking for it. Therefore, we must not be discouraged if we feel we are not exactly shining stars compared to other believers. Some Christians shine more brightly than others (see 1 Cor 15:41). "What of it? All that matters is that" our shining lives reflect the glory of God as best as we can (Phil 1:18).
People line a street or driveway with candle luminaries to point the way to a party. We must do the same for Jesus. We, His followers, "possess the light of life" (Jn 8:12). Nations can find Jesus by the light of Jesus shining through us (Is 60:1). "Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light" (Eph 5:14). Then let your light shine publicly for the glory of God.
Prayer: Father, may Your light shine in me to the world so that people may see goodness in my acts and praise You (Mt 5:16).
Promise: "To the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is His friendship." —Prv 3:32
Praise: When the snowstorm hit, Carol was a witness to all who saw her walking to Church as usual, despite inclement weather.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 25, 2008
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