THE WORD
Prov 3,27-34 / Lk 8,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.
IN OTHER WORDS
In the Bible, the presence of light is associated with the presence of God. Some examples can be
seen in the following: 1) at the creation of the world, the intervention of God was first manifested in the creation of light (Gen. 1:3); 2) when the Israelites were freed from Egypt, God led them through a pillar of re to give them light by night (Ex. 13:21); and 3) the theophanies were accompanied by light (cf. Ex. 24:17). But more than association, light refers also to God himself. For instance, the messianic prophecy identifies the Messiah of God as the light (Isa. 9:2; Jn. 1:4-5,9) which Jesus (the Messiah/Christ) confirms in Jn. 8:12, “I am the light of the world (emphasis mine).” The Psalmist also calls God light (Ps. 27:1). Thirdly, this light also refers to people. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells those who followed him, “You are the light of the world (Mt. 5:14).” What does this mean? This light, who is God, enters into the life of the person to make the person shine also as light, as God’s sign in the world.
We who have seen and heard God have received and have been blessed much. We need to give witness to this in how we live our life. We need to radiate the light of God by our faithful adherence to him and his Word, no matter what the cost. As people of faith, we are expected to let our light shine brightly before others. Our experience of God is not for personal consumption but for the mission, to bring others to God and let them experience God in their life. Failure to do so is missing the point of our calling in the world.
- Fr. Dudz F. Lero, SVD | Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
