Gospel Reflection for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 5th – ‘Let your light shine’

Today we take light for granted. Hard as it to believe, there was time when there was no electricity and immediate light at the touch of a button was unheard of. This made dispelling the darkness difficult, if not impossible. The poor could not afford candles or oil lamps or even wood for the fire. They went to bed with sundown and darkness. Even for those who could afford candles or an oil lamp, the light they gave off was poor and limited. This was the world in which Jesus lived. In the gospel this Sunday, Jesus uses light, a very common thing to describe the quality needed to be his follower and disciple. The words he uses are as equally challenging as they encouraging. In the Gospel of John there is a constant battle between light and darkness. Nicodemus, the Pharisee visits Jesus at night, Jesus heals a man born into a world of darkness because he is blind, and when Judas leaves the table during the last supper, we are told that it was night. Yet it is into this darkness that Jesus comes with the good news. Also in John’s gospel, Jesus proclaims these words of hope and encouragement, ‘I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’

Yet strangely, in our Gospel this Sunday, Jesus also says, ‘You are the light of the world.’ What can he mean by these words? Through our baptism we all share in the mission and ministry of Jesus. Today we are his disciples. Today in our families, our schools and our communities, we are the ones who are called to stand up, speak out and shine as followers of Jesus. We are called and invited not to hide our light, to hide in the shadows or be embarrassed that we are followers of Jesus. When we see the news on our televisions or read about it in our newspapers, we may feel powerless or even hopeless. But we are called to people of light. We live in a time when there seems to be an atmosphere fear and doubt spreading around our world. But we are asked by Jesus to let the light of our faith and hope shine even more brightly than ever.

It is said, that for evil to triumph all that is needed is that good people do and say nothing. My one light may not make a huge difference, but when it shines brightly with others, the light is immense and powerful. When we let our light shine, darkness is dispelled and defeated.

This week, don’t hide your light; let it shine brightly for all to see!

• Michael Moore OMI