“No one who lights a lamp hides it away or places it [under a bushel basket], but on a lampstand so that those who enter might see the light. The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is sound, then your whole body is filled with light, but when it is bad, then your body is in darkness. Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness. If your whole body is full of light, and no part of it is in darkness, then it will be as full of light as a lamp illuminating you with its brightness (Lk. 11:33-36).”
The evangelist incorporated wisdom sayings into this passage to explain how we should respond to the word of God preached by Jesus. Disciples of Christ, who preach the light of Christ, must be morally upright and pure of heart so that they can reflect that light for all to see and be a beacon for all who are searching for a way out of the darkness. Those who repent and have a conversion of heart in response to hearing God’s word will experience a moral change that affects the whole person. The word of God preached by Jesus and the Church will always find those willing to accept it in their hearts (Is. 55:11). Our actions should be guided by the light of Christ which leads to clear discernment as to what is true and good and morally right.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to always follow your word so that we may be lights to all who are in darkness. May we be reflections of your truth and live morally upright lives so that even when we do not feel your presence we can discern your light by faith. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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