After hearing the sermon "Let your light shine," little Jane only fully grasped its meaning when her mother explained that it meant being good, obedient, and cheerful. Later that day, after misbehaving with her friends, Jane returned to her mother and said, "Ma, sorry I have blown myself out! Can you light me again?" This heartfelt request serves as a reminder that every Christian is called to be a beacon of light in the world, shining a light on the darkness around them. Jane's simple yet profound question encourages us to contemplate the Light of Christ that we receive at Baptism. We are not only called to preserve this light, but also to nurture it and keep it burning brightly throughout our lives.
The Gospel of the Day underscores this same message. Jesus instructs His disciples, "Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit" (Luke 12:35). This is both a reminder and a challenge to keep the Light of Christ shining in our hearts. Yet, in a world full of distractions and challenges, many winds seek to extinguish this light.
The Winds of Distraction
One such wind is the wind of losing focus on God. King David, Samson, and Peter each had moments when they shined brightly as long as they kept their gaze fixed on God. However, their light began to flicker when they allowed their focus to shift—whether it was David succumbing to temptation with Bathsheba, Samson revealing his secret to Delilah, or Peter panicking as he walked on water. This wind threatens to blow out the light in all of us when we lose sight of our purpose and place our attention on worldly distractions.
The Winds of Selfishness
Another powerful gust is the wind of selfishness. Saul, the Pharisees, and Judas started with noble callings but allowed selfishness to consume them. Saul's reign as king faltered when he became self-centered, the Pharisees lost their spiritual integrity when focused on their agendas, and Judas ultimately betrayed Christ for financial gain. When selfish interests dominate, we risk snuffing out the light of God's grace in our lives.
The Winds of the World
A third challenge comes from the wind of false principles and ideologies. Given the commandments, the Israelites strayed when worshipping false gods, and the Galatians abandoned the Gospel they first received. In both cases, these communities allowed external beliefs and ideologies to lure them away from the truth. In our lives, this wind manifests as the temptation to embrace worldly values contradicting the Gospel message, leading us further from Christ.
A Model of Light
Today, as we celebrate the feast of Saint John Paul II, we are reminded of how he kept his light burning brightly by staying deeply rooted in prayer, unwavering in his defense of human dignity, and tireless in his mission to spread the Gospel, even in the face of immense personal suffering and global challenges. His faithfulness to Christ’s light continues to inspire millions around the world.
In moments of weakness, we can approach God's mercy with the humility of little Jane, saying, "Lord, sorry I have blown myself out! Can you light me again?" In His grace, our light can be rekindled and shine brightly once more.
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
