TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Hebrews: 10:25 "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."


TODAY'S REFLECTION

Jesus was a master of images and stories. 


In this morning’s gospel reading we find the image of the lamp. 


In a kind of mini parable he says that you do not bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed, but you put it on a lamp-stand. 


Only in this way will the light which the lamp gives out be effective in lighting up the space where people gather. 


How are we to understand that image?


Jesus may be saying that the light of faith which we carry within us is not meant to be hidden away somewhere but is to shine publicly for all to see. 


The church, and all of us who make up the church, are to be the light of the world. 


We are to allow the light of our faith, the light of the Lord, to shine through us, so that it is seen by others.


This image of the church as a light suggests a church that is not turned in on itself, overly preoccupied with its own problems, but a church that is turned out towards the world. 


In one of his recent Angelus addresses Pope Francis spoke of the church in this way. He said, ‘being disciples of the Lamb means not living like a besieged citadel, but like a city placed on a hill, open, welcoming and supportive. 


It means not assuming closed attitudes but rather proposing the Gospel to everyone’. 


The second part of today’s gospel reading suggests that the courageous the church is in witnessing to the treasure of the gospel, the stronger it will become.


‘The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back’.


As Christians, we have a duty and an obligation to hold alight the lamp.


QUESTIONS TO PONDER


The world often runs into the darkness of sin and evil practices… Can I be a lamp, bringing them to Christ’s light by my holy and sanctified life?

Many people are often forced to remain in the shadows of guilt, shame and abuse…

… Can I be a lamp, bringing them to Christ’s light by my prayers, sacrifices and good works?

The Lord invites us…to let His light to pass through our actions, deeds and activities.

to let His light illumine our thoughts, visions and mentalities.

Let us understand that, “it is better to be an unlearned person, loving God with all her heart… than to be the most learned theologian lacking love!”

And thus, may we let the “light of God’s Love” shine through our life of simplicity and passionate tenderness!


SAINT OF THE DAY

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Thomas Aquinas – the great Doctor and Theologian… let us learn to humble ourselves before the Almighty Power of God

Towards the end of his life – this great learned person who had written much on the Lord – during prayer, Christ is said to have told him, “You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labour?” Thomas replied, “Nothing but you, Lord.”

He humbled himself before the Great God to allow God’s Light to always shine through!  When we humble ourselves before the mighty power of God, we allow His light to shine through us.


RESOLUTION

Let us resolve  to make our our lives become “a glowing and fragrant lamp of God’s Light” when we acknowledge His Great Presence in our lives and allow ourselves to be totally dependent on Him!

Happy feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. 

St. Joseph, Pray for us.