Having spent an enjoyable evening with my nephew and his wife, as I was entering my car for the drive home, he suggested an app that I might like to have on my phone. The app would tell you more about astronomy, but I said I did not want it. "But look at that moon," he said. "With this app you could see all the stars and planets not visible to the naked eye."
I looked, but I still did not want the app. I was happy to look at the night sky just as it was, with no app needed. In retrospect I just hope I was not dimming his light, because it had shown brightly all evening.
What light shines from our lamps?
We hear Jesus say to his disciples, to let our lights shine, and not to hide our light from the world.
What a contrast the Scriptures and the memorial of the Korean Martyrs provide today, revealing a light that shines and a light that darkens.
Cyrus, a benevolent king inspired by God, was requested to build God a house in Jerusalem. The king not only encouraged God’s people to return home and build the house, but he also provided them with material assistance. In contrast, Korean Christians were accused of introducing a foreign god into their land and were executed - and 11 priests and 92 believers lost their lives.
It was the light of someone preaching in China that inspired a Korean, who upon his return home, allowed the wick from his lamp that had been immersed in the Holy Spirit he encountered in China to now shine in Korea.
That light continues to shine among the Korean people today.
What light shines from our lamps? Many, and there are more to be discovered just like that app I spoke of that revealed all those unseen lights. As disciples it is our responsibility to bring the light of Christ where there is still darkness.
The Scriptures today offer us an invitation to acknowledge and explore our gifts, talents; lamps given to us to illuminate our lives but also the world around us. What kind of light does God what to shine from our lamps? How do we overcome the temptation to hide our light because it is sometime more comfortable not to be burdened by it?
The joy of reflecting on these Scriptures surfaced for me so many examples of lights set on lamp stands for all to see - lights which reveal the presence of Christ in the lives of people we know and all those with whom we interact during the day.
If I may be allowed one example, it is that of my niece Debra who has taught for forty years at a Catholic school: Espirto Santo in Fall River, MA.
Former students would ask me, "Are you related to Miss Polselli? She was my teacher!"
The tone of their voice was reverential, revealing someone they had known who was a light that shone in their lives, and one of hundreds who were privileged to have her as their first-grade teacher.
Let us all find ways to make our lights shine, and spread the love and light of Christ through the gifts He has given us.
