SAINTS ANDREW KIM TAE-GǑN, PRIEST, PAUL CHǑNG HA-SANG, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS (MEMORIAL)

He places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

Would you buy a brand-new lamp and place a bulb in it, only to then put it in a closet or store it in your basement? Of course not! You bought that lamp, put a bulb in it, and then placed it in a dark room, all so that it could give light to all who enter.

That’s what Jesus is getting at in today’s parable (Luke 8:16-18). We’re the lamp, he’s the one who has chosen us, and the “bulb” is the grace of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. And the darkness that needs to be illuminated? The world, filled with people who have yet to hear about and receive God’s love and mercy.

If we want our light to shine into the darkness, we need to proclaim Jesus, the Light of the World. And we should do that not only through our words but through the witness of our lives. We might not even realize it, but our faith, our hope, and our love make the transformative power of God’s love and mercy visible for all to see.

How does that happen? Here are some examples. We proclaim the gospel when, in faith, we trust in God’s promises and hold fast to him, even as we navigate the ups and downs and twists and turns of life. We proclaim the gospel when, in the face of sickness, suffering, and death, we hold fast to the hope that we will one day live in heaven, forever in God’s embrace. We proclaim the gospel when we love as Jesus did, willing to sacrifice for the good of others and to forgive those who have hurt us. This is what makes us shine in the world—living in faith, hope, and love. As we live this way, we ensure that wherever we are placed, we will be a bright light for the Lord.

Remember that our light can shine not just for people far from the Lord but for one another as well. No matter how long we have been following Jesus, we can proclaim the gospel to our brothers and sisters both by our words and by how we live our lives. Then together we become a light that can never be concealed!

“How can I shine for you today, Lord?”

Ezra 1:1-6
Psalm 126:1-6
Luke 8:16-18

WORD AMONG US