When loving others, we express our love of God

 
Reading: No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16.
 
Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Today’s Gospel (Luke 8:16-18) is very short; it is just a few verses. In this Gospel, Jesus is instructing his disciples that the purpose of the light is to illuminate the room in which it is placed. Thus, the lamp should be well placed so that the entire space is illuminated.
 
Then Jesus shifts his direction. He says that nothing will be hidden, and everything will be visible. As he continues, he says that all will be revealed: all secrets will be revealed and become known by others. Those words are intimidating to me! Personally, I don’t want my life laid out for everyone to see! Would you? Most of my life is pretty normal. However, I still would not want everything about me revealed! If others did know everything about me, they might judge me or think of me differently.
 
The lamp is lit for a purpose; the light it gives shows it at its fullest potential. When loving others, we express our love of God. Our acts of kindness, thoughtfulness or thanks are ways in which we can be lamps that are lit.
 
‘Secret revelations’ sounds like the stuff of journalism; here it assures us that our every deed, our quiet gestures, our forbearance, and patient tolerance are all valued and build up God’s presence in our midst.
 
God’s love and word is a lamp for our steps, a lamp that shines from the inside of our personalities. Nothing can put it out. The light is the light of the love of God, and often we can’t believe in this love. It is always there, shining in darkness, doubt, meanness, and sin. We keep our light a secret too much. We hide our goodness from others. Prayer encourages us to admit and confess, not just our sins, but our wonderful beauty - each of us.
 
Jesus asks me to pay attention to how I listen, to notice how I notice. If my prayer is full of distraction or if my mind is always racing, I need to do as Jesus asks and pay attention. If I see only deficiency, I will lose everything; if I am able to recognize, appreciate and receive blessing, I can trust in God’s goodness and love.
 
I don’t think Jesus expects us to take these words literally. Perhaps these words are an invitation to us. He may simply be inviting us to pause and ask ourselves: Is there some area in my life that I truly would like to change? Is there something I want to stop doing? This week may we take the time to ponder Jesus’s words and ask: what is Jesus inviting us to do?
 
Blessings,

Fr. Luis+