Tuesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time
“(Y)our light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
To be of Christ, with Christ, a disciple of Christ – Christ in the world and yet in heaven too – is to live the truth in love. “The one who lives by the truth comes out into the light so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.” (John 3:21)
When, for example, we are asked our opinion on some matter before the group, about decisions to be made, we give it truthfully. This is a way into God. It is the way of humility. It is the way of honesty; the way one honestly sees the matter. The light we give is an attempt to allow Christ’s light to guide the community. It is not an instance of promoting one’s ego or shoring up self-worth. The light is coming from Christ; it is coming from God. We can enjoy it and let the glory resound to God! There is something deeply reassuring here. It has to do with belonging. To whom do I belong? How do I fit into the scheme of things? How do I see things and myself?
Jesus says that we are either with Him in the light or apart from Him in the darkness.
But to see the way into this light is by living in the concrete here and now. Great ideals, lofty ideals are for the adolescent mentality. We are grateful for them. But the stuff of daily living – which gives its own subtle light – is the truth of living always in the here and now, in the presence of God. Doing dishes or serving in an operating room are equal vehicles for doing the truth in love. In each event of my daily life, I am before God who sees and knows their worth. Everywhere we are before the angels. Praise goes up to God when we refract God’s light.
Reflection by Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources