2021 September 20 Monday- THE WORD OF GOD IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 8: 16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

THE WORD OF GOD IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: Focusing on the Kingdom of God, Jesus gives the parable of lamp. A light should not be kept under a cover. Rather it should be on a lampstand for it to shine. This reading invites us to be lamps. It calls on us to stand on lampstands so that our virtuous actions may shine upon all. May the Word of God that we receive allow us to stand up high and proclaim it in deed and words. St. Andrew Kim the first Korean priest demonstrated this act of receiving the light of Christ and sharing it with others. Together with his companion, they showed courage as they preached Christ to a point of losing their earthly lives for Christ. They did so in humility and self-giving. Let us follow their example of humility and fear of God.

PRAYER: Lord grants us grace to humbly share your Word.

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RULES OF CHRISTIAN LIFE: The first rule of Christian life is the visibility of Christian life. Faith of a Christian has to be noticeable and the gifts have to be put into practice. Jesus is telling us to use our faith to direct others to see Him as their Saviour. The world should see Jesus through us. It is a challenge to us Christians to be the examples for others, especially those who have not received the good news of the Gospel. The second rule is openness. Our heart and mind have to be open to God and to others. Someone can hide the truth for his or her personal gain. One who is not open is unhappy. Even when we try to hide, God always watches us (Gen 16:13). The third rule of Christian life is that anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away. Those who search for God and truth tirelessly will find them and they are transformed into true witness of God and the Gospel.