Click here for today’s Scripture readings.
2 Tm 1:1-8
or
Ti 1:1-5
Mk 4:21-25
Can you recall who was been a light of Faith for you? Maybe you prefer to make a list? As we think of our Faith Journey we realize that, indeed, there have been many who have been the light for our Journey. Who ignited the first spark of Faith? Not by word or exhortation but perhaps by a quiet consistent and strong example? Who was it inspired a more mature and determined Faith as you made your way? Perhaps still another provided a reassuring and forgiving light when you were floundering in a crippling darkness of some personal struggle?
Jesus’ message in today’s Gospel is: “Let your light shine!” A lamp isn’t truly a lamp until it’s on the lamp stand giving light. Paul seems to be celebrating the Light that shines for Titus and Timothy, two early disciples now ordained to minister the light to others. Timothy, at least, seems to be struggling with ministering the light as he is passing through some personal darkness, perhaps some fear has taken hold of him and he is holding back. Paul seems to be gently taking him to task, urging him to “stir into flame” the gift of ministry, God’s gift, through the laying on of Paul’s hands.
Paul takes a very personal and realistic approach. He reminds Timothy of the light of Faith that shone from Lois, his grandmother, and from Eunice, his mother. Timothy now had a short but personal list: Grandmother Lois, his Mom Eunice and Paul! These had lit the way for Timothy’s Journey of Faith.
At times someone probably has been the light of tough love that stabilized and steadied a scattered and dissipated Faith! Paul wanted Bishop Titus to be the light for the disciples in Crete as their Church confronted disturbing, painful trials in the life of their diocese. “Set right what remains to be done,” he tells Titus, “make the correct appointments in spite of human respect!”
As we recall and give thanks for those who offered the lights along our Faith Journey, it also would be valuable to imagine how St. Paul might be telling us, in turn, to let our light shine. Who is there about us who may need the light we could offer? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, to show you who may be in need of your light? Or who already may be moving on in their Journey of Faith thanks to the light you have mounted on the lamp stand? A lamp isn’t truly a lamp until it’s on the lamp stand giving light!
- Fr. Lucian Clark, C.P. lives with the Passionist Community, Union City, NJ. He directs the Passionist Volunteers International with six Volunteers serving in Mandeville, JA.
Fr. Lucian, how wonderful to see your reflection today! I like the question ~ Who is the light in your life? There are so many along the way in this life that certainly qualify. I could list certain members of my family, but I can also list certain Brothers in the Passionist Community. I would also say that the family that donated the lungs of their loved one to give me a new life definitely qualify because they gave love and compassion on the worst day of their lives; to me that is light in their darkness of grief. . .
May God’s richest blessings be yours,
Sandy Ozanich
Fr Lucian-
you ask us to ponder today on who has been a light, a spark in our faith journey. Indeed, that question is not only thought provoking, but it is humbling to realize that so much of who we are, who we have become has been because of others. You are one of those people who has given me and my faith life many sparks, many sources of light, and have even re-light my candle of faith when it has gone out. Thank you for being a light in my life and without a doubt the lives of so so many. Keep on shining!
Jean