Jesus' Light, Wherever You Are

Caitlan Rangel sees a family model the light of Christ at Disneyland and reflects on how that is good news for all of us. 

My eight-year-old daughter and I recently went to Disneyland for her birthday. To be totally cliché, it was a magical day. While I will treasure moments she and I shared forever, there’s a moment separate from us that keeps coming back to me. 

It happened on Pirates of the Caribbean.  

My daughter and I waited in line, ready for a reprieve from the sun. We chatted, reapplied sunscreen, and I tried to shield her with the shade of my shadow. And I kept noticing the man and little girl in line right in front of us. 

They talked. He was attentive, kind. She was excited, bouncing with energy. We entered the cool inside and finally it was our turn to slide into the boats. I watched as the man cuddled the girl in next to him. He squeezed her and she squealed, “Daddy!” 

In a world that is often distracted, indifferent, and hurried, it’s easy to see a light. The way this father loved his daughter — with tenderness, warmth, and joy — that’s a light. 

Being Lights Wherever We Are 

As I continue to ponder this interaction between father and daughter, my heart expands thinking about not only how they loved each other but also where they modeled that love. That is, I was reminded of and drawn to Christ’s love on Pirates of the Caribbean! With Captain Jack Sparrow figures popping up and the nostalgic scent of Disneyland ride water! 

What encouraging news for all of us — we can be lights to others, no matter where we are, whether we know it or not. 

Jesus’ reach, the Holy Spirit’s creativity, and the Father’s providence have no bounds. 

Wherever we are today, we can live in ways that demonstrate we are children of God. We can show concern for others, extend ourselves in generosity, love tenderly with our bodies, be patient and true in our words, and lead with mercy.  

Christ’s Light Burning 

At a Catholic Baptism, the celebrant says to the person being baptized, “Receive the light of Christ,” and someone from the child’s (or person being baptized) family lights their baptismal candle.  

Then the celebrant says, “Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He/She is to walk always as a child of the light. May he/she keep the flame of faith alive in his/her heart. When the Lord comes, may he/she go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.” 

At times, we forget Christ’s light within us. If you have forgotten Christ’s light burns in you, I remind you now that it does. When we live in ways that acknowledge the light of Christ that we received at Baptism, we live as children of God and are signs of hope in the world.  

Let’s never underestimate the power of a small flame in the dark. 

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Copyright 2025 Caitlan Rangel
Images: Canva