A Shining Light in the World of our Day

In today's Gospel,  Mark : 21-25, Jesus asks us:  "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?  For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light."

As I hear, read and reflect upon those words, I think of such people as King David, his son Solomon and other great men and women of the Old Testament, as well as Mary and Joseph, Joachim and Anna, Jesus, the apostles--both men apostles  and such women as Mary of Magdala, considered an apostle to the apostles and all those who followed Jesus during his times here on earth and to the cross on Calvary. Their light has been placed on the lampstand of the world for all to see. I think, too, of men and women beyond Old and  New Testament times--recognized and unrecognized saints in heaven and on earth, great men and women who have made their mark on the world and in our families.  Like all of them, you and I are called upon to be "lamps" for all to see. The good we do, the truth we proclaim, the mercy and compassion that we reveal in the choices we make, the voices we respond to when a person asks for and needs our help, beginning with an infant in the womb, a toddler learning to walk or talk or read, a child of any age and adults as well dependent upon us to grow in grace and wisdom, an elderly parent needing our support and on and on!

With David, in the first reading of today's liturgy, 2 Sam 7: 18-19, 24-29, we can ask the Lord: "Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my house [my family and my relatives] that you have brought me [and them]  to this point? Yet even this you see as too little, Lord God; you have also spoken of the house of your servant for a long time to come: this too you have shown to [us], Lord God....The Lord of hosts is God of Israel [of our household], and the house of your servant David  [add your name and the name of your family] stands firm before you."

Lord God, with Mary, we sing the Magnificat in  honor of your name and gratitude for all you have done and are doing to help us and our families and loved ones grow in grace and wisdom and be a beacon of light in the world in which we live.