"You must let your light shine in the sight of all"
Matthew 5 : 16
I think one of the most beautiful parts of the baptismal ceremony is when the parent or godparent lights the child’s candle from the Easter candle. Addressing the parents and godparents the celebrant then says: ‘this child enlightened by Christ is to walk always as a child of the light.’
On more than one occasion Jesus uses the symbol of light to refer to himself and his disciples. It doesn’t surprise us that He calls himself the ‘Light of the world’ (John 8, 12 ) but that He tells His followers that they too are the light of the world ( Matt 5, 14 ) should really amaze us. No wonder Pope St Leo, a great Pope of the early century urged all Christians to recognize their dignity.
Our baptism sometimes referred as christening is indeed a great privilege, which brings with it a responsibility. We are called to let our light shine, to bear witness to the Christ- life within us. In today’s gospel our Lord compares hiding our Christian faith to hiding a lighted lamp under a bed. Just as a lamp is meant to be put on a lamp stand and thus show others the way so our faith should shine in our homes, our parishes, our places of work and recreation and thus enlighten others.
Prayer
Lord, we thank you for the light of faith received in Baptism. May it always shine brightly so that others may come to know you as the way, the truth and the life. Amen.