The light of the world: Share it with others

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Katie Lease

Light is used frequently as a metaphor to connect with people in different ways. Phrases like "the light at the end of the tunnel" and "a light bulb just went off in my head," are a few examples.

Light's many meanings makes it a source of universal symbolism. Scripture uses light to express the message of the Lord and the possibilities that He sets before us.

In this Sunday's readings light is used to describe the path of the Lord's spirit. Continuing through the readings you are taken on this light's path.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 6, 2005) Is 58:7-10 Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 1 Cor 2:1-5 Mt 5:13-16

The path of light begins with the Lord proclaiming "I am the light of the world," and "whoever follows me will have the light of life." Here the Lord shows that He is the source of the grace, love, and happiness in this world.

Additionally, He is offering us an opportunity to be part of the light and all the gifts of grace that are included in being a child of God. He does this by calling us to follow Him where we will then be filled with His light.

The path continues through Isaiah when he says our "light shall break forth like the dawn, and our wounds shall quickly be healed." The Lord is offering us a place to find comfort for our weary souls when the trials of the world fall upon us.

He shows that He can take our sadness or darkness and turn it into light. By putting our faith in the Lord, the Lord will make us "the light of the world."

Last, we are taught by Matthew to not keep this light for ourselves "under a basket," but to shine this light before others by "placing it on a lamp stand." We are now called as children of God to take this gift of light and not hide it away but to proclaim its goodness. The gift of light, happiness, and love from the Lord is meant to be shared.

	Reflection questions • Where have I accepted the light and happiness of the Lord within my life? • How am I being called to share that light with others?

This circulation of light from the Lord to and among His children will lead to the light's multiplication. For "it is in giving that we receive," as St. Francis of Assisi says in his timeless words, and in giving this light of the Lord to others it is multiplied within each of us and within the world.

Katie Lease is a sophomore rehabilitation psychology major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an office manager and parishioner at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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