When we let our light shine for others, their light shines on us as well
Are we being salt and light for the world? I recently had the opportunity to spend time with salt of the Earth folks who are letting their light shine. Hopefully, their example might inspire us to follow in their footsteps and to be a light for others in our lives.
From time to time, I am part of a team that goes into Missouri prisons to offer a weekend retreat for people who are incarcerated.There is much preparation and planning that goes into those retreats. Talks have to be prepared, and leaders have to be chosen. Someone has to take the lead of the whole retreat, and many others are called to help that leader. Entering a prison is a way to let our light shine for others to see, but also to let those who are incarcerated shine their light on us.
I also have the opportunity, from time to time, to join a group that travels to southern Belize to visit the native Mayans. This commitment has lasted 21 years, with the intent to form long-lasting relationships, help people heal from disease and help them experience a fullness of life that suits them. It might involve teaching in schools, spending time with the elderly, providing scholarship opportunities for young girls in high school, offering microloans so that young entrepreneurs can begin to develop their own businesses or getting to know families by visiting their homes and sharing meals. Visiting mission teams allow their light to shine on the local Mayans and let the local Mayans shine their light on them.
I have the opportunity from time to time to mingle with members of local St. Vincent de Paul conferences who seek out those who are hungry, homeless, naked or in need in many other ways. They visit with people and listen to the details of their lives. They attempt to meet whatever basic needs they can and offer an opportunity for those persons to tell their story to someone who cares. They shine a light in the midst of difficulty and allow those who are struggling to shine their light on the St. Vincent de Paul members.
I have the opportunity to worship in community, and every time I show up, there is someone to greet me, someone who has prepared beautiful music, someone who has prepared a homily for me to hear, someone who proclaims the Scriptures and someone who helps me collect my tithe when I bring it. Someone has cleaned the church, arranged the booklets and written the announcements, and it is all ready for me when I come. All those people shine their light for me to see, and I have an opportunity to shine my light for them.
If we’re not careful, we can be receivers of the light without bothering to shine our light for others to see. We become so focused on our own lives that we forget our lives are supposed to be bigger than just ourselves, our families or those we agree with. We are meant to shine our light for all to see. I have shared a few of the ways in which others have shone their light upon us. Think about all the people who serve us in a civic way. They keep us safe; they treat our wounds. They help us when we’re in trouble. They instruct us when they teach us. There are many other ways they let their light shine on us. Where will we let our light shine for others to see?
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
