Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Mark 4:21-25
I spent a lot of my life believing in God, but quietly. When people around me talked about their love for Jesus and all things Scripture, I would become uncomfortable. I didn’t know enough to share what they shared. I didn’t have a relationship with God. Out of shame, I would hide my lamp. It wasn’t very bright anyway. I wasn’t strong enough in my faith, nor did I understand it.
As Catholics, our role isn’t just to be able to talk the talk, we also have to walk the walk. Both are how God shines His light in our world. At that time in my life, I could neither walk the walk nor talk the talk. I barely knew when to sit, stand, or kneel when I finally did go back to Mass. What little light I had in my often hidden lamp only shined from whatever graces I didn’t even know God was using me for.
These days, my lamp is no longer hidden. I welcome God’s light, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I will unapologetically let it shine for everyone to see.
Our lamps are all different shapes and sizes and vary in brightness throughout our lives. It doesn’t matter what they look like, as long as we are letting them shine. Light draws people in. When we live our lives the way God intends, we become an example of what our true faith is about. That is our lamp. God uses those actions to shine his light through us and illuminate the path for whomever may need to see it. We Catholics are burning lanterns. Our life is about giving the light away and giving and giving and giving until the lantern has completely burnt out.
Ponder:
When do I tend to hide my lamp the most, and how can I let my light shine?
Pray:
Lord, give me the strength and courage to be the light of the world, through Your word and Your plan for my path. Give me the humility and wisdom to light the path for those around me in the dark until they find their own lamps.
Copyright 2022 Christi Braschler
About the Author
Christi Braschler
Christi Braschler is a wife and mom. She was also a lifelong member of the Catholic In Name Only Club until a few years ago when she realized the Practicing Catholic Club had better t-shirts. When she's not folding ridiculous piles of laundry, or roaming the house in search of single socks, she's writing, learning about her faith one misstep at a time, and probably burning dinner. You can follow more from her on her blog: Francis and Squeak.
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