You. Yes, You!
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father. (Mt 5:14-16)
Today is the feast of St. Barnabas. He is mentioned, often, in the scriptures associated with St. Paul.
Barnabas was as close as you can get to being an apostle. He introduced Paul to Peter. He was part of the inner workings of the early Church. He clearly had zeal and determination.
He lived the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel and was, indeed, salt for the earth and light for the world.
We do not like to think about others watching our every step and listening to our every word. Many of us can get “creeped out” by that kind of thought.
However, if we truly do our “job” well, we must let people see our actions and hear our words. Indeed, each action, each word, should point to Jesus Christ.
If they do, we are doing the work God calls us to accomplish and we will be as effective an apostle as Barnabas.
If our actions and words do not point to Jesus, we are leading people astray and God will not be pleased.
Think today. Ask yourself, are you reflecting the Lord in all you say and do?
FAITH ACTION: Pray for the grace to be light for those in darkness.