"You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house.In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5 14-16)
PHYSICAL LIGHTS
In the beginning God created the heavenly lights - the sun, the moon and the stars - to light the universe. Then he separated light from the darkness (Genesis 1:3-5). On earth human beings made oil lamps, engineered electricity, and invented solar panels, battery cells and bulbs - to light the streets and buildings in the cities - so that all who live there may see light in the day and in the night.
This post gives an insight to the limitations and the corruption of the physical lights that we see everyday, brings us to the realization of the real light, and tells us how to use this real light to fulfill our earthly existence. Follow me! You will Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (John 8 :32).
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THE CANDLE LIGHT IS ONLY A SYMBOL OF THE REAL LIGHT |
DARKNESS IN THE WORLD
"Inthe Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint." (Ephesians 4:17-19)
But in the midst of these lights - shining in the heavens, the cities and buildings - God is calling us to be the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16). Here are two questions we have to answer: (1) What is wrong with the existing lights? (2) How do we shine in the world?
If we are called to be light of the world it is because the world is living inl darkness. For the ignorance of God is the root of all evil (Galatians 5:19-21;Ephesians 4:17-21; Hosea 4::1-7). This is so because the material light corrupts the eyes, minds and hearts of people. Whereas God wants us all to live in his light - or face his judgment (Acts 17:29-31)
THE REAL LIGHT
"Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” (John 8:12)
The heavenly lights (Genesis 1:3-5) - the sun, moon, stars, represent and préfigure the real light - the light of God. (John 1:3-4; 8:12; John 1:1-6-9) Before Jesus was born there was daylight in the world but the minds and hearts of the people were in darkness (John 1:9-10). That is why most people did not acknowledge or accept him.
The real light is the saving, glorious and prospering presence of God (Revelation 21:23 -25), to where we are led and fulfilled by the living Word of God (Psalm 119:104-106). It is the light that shines on the soul and covers all - body, soul and spirit. That is why in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve could not see the nakedness of each other- even though they were naked - when they had not yet committed the original sin. (Genesis 3:7).
CALL TO SHINE
"But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)
We are called to shine in the world because we were created in the very image of God (Genesis 1:26); - the God who is all-light, and has no darkness at all in him (1 John 1:5).Yes, we lost his glory because of sin. But we are redeemed by the blood of Christ (Romans 3:23-24), when we receive him and become children of God (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6). That is why we are called to be like, Christ himself, the light of world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Finally, we are called to be the light of the world because we have been baptized in to the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) to lead the world to light by living the Word of God and witnessing for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). And if we fail, God will hold us responsible for leading the world astray. (Hosea 4:4).
WORLDLY LIGHTS
"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect" (Romans 12:2)
So the true light is not the light of the sun, moon, electric bulb, solar bulb, oil lamp, body cream etc (Isaiah 60:19-20) but the light of the Word of God.. (John 1:4-5).The earthly or counterfeit lights shine only on the body, and tend to corrupt the soul, hearts and the human consciences. They, even, cause human beings to sin by pride, corruption, idolatry, adultery, theft, murder, lust and sexual perversity . (Galatians 5:19-21). That is why we have to wear clothes to cover our bodies - and in some cultures women put on veils to hide their faces - so that we do not show, or allow others to see, in us, what may cause them to sin.
To be the light of the world is not by pride, and pomposity, or by the suppression and domination of others. No! For the human intelligence, knowledge, ideas, talents and skills, just as celebrity, power and riches are like the gods of the world, that blind people to the light of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). But God's wisdom, knowledge, and works, shine through us who are children of God. (1 Peter 2: 9)
BE CONNECTED
"I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me." (John 15:5)
As true as it is, that someone cannot give what they do not have, so too, it is true that we cannot shine if we have not the light. So to be the light of the world we must first of all, be lighted by God. In other words, the light that makes us to shine, as children of God is not physical or material light but the light of the Holy Spirit that shines in our souls (2 Corinthians 4:6). So to be the light of the world one must be permanently connected to, and dependent on, the real Light; who brings light to the world - he is Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5; 8:12).
PRECONDITIONS
"Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them." (John 14:23)
As scripture says above, the preconditions for being connected to God - the source of Light are : faith, repentance, baptism (John 3:5), obedience, love, fellowship and prayer (Matthew 26:41)
When we repent from our sins, we turn away from the darkness and come to the light (1 John 1:5-7). This conversion is fulfilled by the study and the practice of the Word of God, (Joshua 1:8; John 15:3; John 6:63) - that is our way to God (Psalm 119:104-106). So the scripture says :
"Listen to me, my people, listen to what I say: I give my teaching to the nations; my laws will bring them light." (Isaiah 51:4)
The baptisms of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5) cleanses the soul and kindles our hearts with the love of God and of neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). This love of God prompts us to obey, fellowship and do charity. Thus God takes his throne in our hearts (John 14:23) to shine in our deeds and works in the world (Isaiah 60/1).
But we can attain all these only by active faith (Romans 10:10) and constant prayer (Jeremiah 33:3; 29:12-13; Matthew 7:7). More to that, we must seek God's graces from the sacraments (John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Acts 1:8, Mark 10:27), which are eased and sustained by the devout use of the church's sacramentals - such as the Crucifix, Stations of the Cross, and the Rosary. Then when "we switch on" (act by words, actions, inactions and works) or "we are switched on" (react by words, actions and inactions) - our light will shine forth, to the glory of God.
SWITCH ON
"You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Try to learn what pleases the Lord. For it is light that clearly reveals everything. That is why it is said, “Wake up, sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:8-10, 14)
We switch on to shine in the light of God when we act and react in obedience to the Word of God (authority), with the help of the Holy Spirit (power), and in order to please God (glory). Thus on all occasions we have to act or react in the way Christ has taught and shown us to. (John 14:12). In other words we must have, live and excel in the nature of Christ (Philippians 2:6-11). - which shows that he lives in us and we live in him - to give glory to God.
So to shine on the lampstand means to be an example of the light of God wherever, and whenever, we act or react. That is, to be always living and acting or reacting, in the Word of God which is the source of Life and the light of the world. (John 1:3-4; 6:63). We shine to the world in acts of faith, obedience, truth, courage, integrity, patience,, humility, submission,, fortitude, excellence, tolerance, perseverance, honesty, justice, charity etc. (Ephesians 5:8-11,14; Galatians 5:22-26).
If in everything we do, we seek direction in the Word of God and help from the Holy Spirit, then we are able to serve, please and glorify God. And in return God will give us peace - in the solution of our problems and in the satisfaction of our needs - to lift us up. That is the reason why the angels sang, in Bethlehem: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).
BLESSINGS
" Nations will be drawn to your light, And kings to the dawning of your new day. Day and night your gates will be open, So that the kings of the nations May bring you their wealth." (Isaiah 60:3,11)
Indeed, the blessings of God for those who shine to the world are unimaginable. They come as promotion, restoration, open-doors, enlightenment, favors deliverance success, victory etc from God and from human beings (Isaiah 60:1-3,11; John 1:5; Mathew 2: 1-2, 11; Revelation 21:23-25)
Remember that Jesus was born and laid in a manger - not in a five-star hotel. But the angels came down from heaven above and proclaimed his birth and his kingship to the shepherds in the fields. And they went, saw and worshiped the baby Jesus Christ lying in the manger (Luke 2:7-16). Then his light shone beyond the land of Israeli to draw the Wise Men from the East, who came and worshipped him. The power of humility and obedience is awesome! So our humility and obedience can, also, repay us in wonderful ways.
So when we want to shine as the light of God in the world we shouldn't bother if our neighbors will acknowledge us or not. For when the time comes, the angels of God will come down from heaven to announce us to the right people in the right place. And they will appreciate us in ways that we could not even magine.
The final, highest and eternal reward for being the light of the world is eternal life. For when we give God glory on earth then we can merit to share his eternal glory in heaven. That is the same glory in which the human being was originally created (Genesis 1:26) So Jesus said to the Father:
"I have shwn your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do. Father! Give me glory in your presence now, the same glory I had with you before the world was made." (John 17:4-5).
His request was granted, as it is written:
"The LORD said to my Lord: Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies under your feet.’ (Matthew 22:44) 🟡
Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA™
Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
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