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| St. Padre Pio |
(Audio)
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.
Why do we hide the light Jesus has lit within our hearts? Why do we conceal it and not let it shine as it was meant to shine? Perhaps we're afraid of what will become visible if we do. We may fear that it will reveal us in our own weakness and inadequacy. And indeed it will. But this is nothing to fear! Jesus is able to work precisely through the weak, the lowly, and the humble who are willing to let Jesus be seen as strong in his power manifested in them.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (see Second Corinthians 12:10).
No matter which path we choose, we will eventually be revealed. It is better to begin sooner rather than later.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
We can't wait until we are perfect to start. We have to begin letting this light shine now. It may, yes, it almost certainly will reveal us as frauds and hypocrites. But it will also transform us as we honestly confront those parts of ourselves in the light shining from Jesus and his Spirit within us. If we refuse the little light we do have will flicker and waver. If we smother it we risk extinguishing it.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.
We ourselves are meant to adorn the temple God is building. So let us bring all that we have and all that we are. We can shine as part of this structure because God himself gives us light.
Let everyone who has survived, in whatever place he may have dwelt,
be assisted by the people of that place
with silver, gold, goods, and cattle,
together with free-will offerings
for the house of God in Jerusalem.'
We may begin with weeping as see ourselves in his light. We may feel sorry that we are unworthy to by part of such a beautiful temple. But when we do offer ourselves we find the joy of transformation in Christ.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
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