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.
Jesus Christ was himself the light that came into the world, potentially enlightening everyone (see John 1:9). By his cross and resurrection he "delivered us from the domain of darkness" (see Colossians 1:13) and qualified us "to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (see Colossians 1:12). Our ongoing transformation is described as having the eyes of our hearts enlightened (see Ephesians 1:18). This is possible because "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (see Second Corinthian 4:6). We are therefore called to walk "as children of light" (see Ephesians 5:8) and to even wear this light as a protective armor (see Romans 13:12).
The disciples would most probably have been tempted to hide their light at various times when it seemed to become a liability. Most of them did in fact do so when the dark hour (see Luke 22:53) of the cross arrived. We too are sometimes tempted to remain hidden, to keep the light a secret so as to not disturb those around us. But if we insist on hiding our light we risk smothering it. If we refuse to share it, it may grow very dim within us. The point of light is not only to illuminate our private lives, the inside of a vessel, but rather the world. Those in darkness may seem comfortable, may even seem to be enjoying themselves. But what truly lurks hidden and unexposed in darkness is by no means benign. We ought to know how good the light is from how it has transformed us. And this in turn should motivate us to shine for all we're worth.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Right now is the time to choose the light. The coming of the dawn is inevitable. But it will be a much more welcome sight for who have made themselves ready to welcome it by cooperating with divine grace. In the book of Revelation we read that "the night will be no more", and that "the Lord God will be their light" (see Revelations 22:5). We may find that image a little difficult. No darkness at all? No place to hide? No space that is entirely our own secret space? Let's begin to allow the transformation to take place now so that we will be ready to welcome its final culmination.
Take care, then, how you hear.
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.
Let us listen and truly hear so that we may be transformed. We are invited to join the procession of building God's house, not with "silver, gold, goods, and cattle" or any other perishable things, but with ourselves as living stones.
No comments:
Post a Comment