Monday, 25th Week of Ordinary Time, September 19, 2022

AM I LIGHT?

In the Gospel Luke 8: 16-18, Jesus said to the crowd:

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lamp stand so that those who enter may see the light…”


We just concluded our parish mission led by a Redemptorist priest. It was a wonderful time and opportunity to just step back and allow the grace of God to flow where He wills. As I see it, the essence of a parish mission is to rediscover or reignite the light of Christ in me and to see how or where God wants me to shine His light. The parish mission week is over, and a new beginning is just unleashed. Where do I go from there? What is the next thing? What is God calling me to do? “To allow His light to Shine,” as we hear in today’s gospel reading.

Let your light shine. God’s light is my light. I am a child of God, created in his own image and likeness. As Christians our faith, works, and deeds must be like a burning lamp that shines its light on the darkness. Light is not afraid of darkness. Light illumines the dark. We MUST not hide our light. We must glow the light of Christ with the witness of a genuine love. To do this, we must seek each day to follow the example of Jesus Christ. When we glow the light of Christ, there is a difference in our personalities, steps, handling of problems, and service to others.

Pope Francis reflecting on the Christian light, says, “The Christian must be a luminous person who carries the light, a light that comes from one that is not his own, but a gift of God, a gift of Jesus. We carry this light forward!”

If a Christian loses this light, “his life doesn’t make sense. He is a Christian in name only,” Pope Francis cautioned.

Let your light shine. Many of us have seen the laughing Jesus photo. How did you feel when you saw that picture of Christ for the first time? One of the special ministries in our church is that of the usher, whose duty is that of hospitality. The usher is the face of the parish. He or she is the first person that worshipers meet when they arrive at church. People’s impression of a parish is significantly shaped by the presence or absence of a welcoming atmosphere where they come to worship. Offering a smile and a word of welcome can have a profound impact on people as they arrive. The light of Christ shines and radiates through an usher if he or she pays undivided attention to the people as they enter church for divine worship.

We all appreciate a good customer service representative any time we need one. No one likes to encounter a bad or awful customer service rep. So, also is the ministry of a Christian. No one wants to encounter an unwelcoming usher. Jesus says, “if you love each other people will know that you are my disciples.” If you become a light to one another, you radiate Christ.

How do you want to be remembered? How do you want to live? As a lamp that is lit, or one that is off?”

Let your light shine…..

Have a wonderful week


About the Author

My name is Fr. Peter Eke, a priest of the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan. I was called to the Catholic priesthood in July 19th, 1997. I studied Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University, in Rome, Italy, with JCL Degree in 2001 and JCD (doctorate) Degree in 2003. Currently, I am the pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Prudenville, Saint James in Houghton Lake, and Saint Hubert in Higgins Lake. I am also a Judge at the Marriage Tribunal in my Diocese. In my free time, I love reading, listening to music, and taking a long walk. Since my ordination my inspiring message has been “with God the oil in the flask will not dry” (1Kings 17:14).

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6 Comments

  1. Thank you Father. Lets be sure the light is on…in good times and difficult times. Lets brighten someone’s day…everyday. Peace with you my brother.

  2. Thanks Fr. Eke for reminding as to be the Light of the world. But, this is also challenging for us…as it demands that our life be “spotless” to be able to shine. Yet…although, we are not perfect…we can still be a Light to others. Every little act or good deed goes a long way. If we just touch one person…even just with a smile or a little kindness…that is still being a Light to others. Let us be that Light!

  3. Thank you Father Peter-
    The message of what it truly means to be a Christian by “letting our light” shine is a beautiful one to reflect on everyday we wake up!
    The Mission was awesome!

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