Jesus is the light of the world who brings light to our life: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As we hear in today’s Gospel that light, the teachings, deeds, and sacrifice of Jesus, should not be hidden “under a bushel basket.” It may seem at different times throughout history that darkness has overcome this light but this darkness can never defeat the love and light of God: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
In our baptism we hear the words: “Receive the light of Christ…this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.” We are called through our baptism to reflect the light of Christ in our daily life. Jesus tells us that not only have we received the light of Christ but we are called to be the light: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16). Jesus teaches us that our light shines when our “good deeds” shine forth, when people see us imitating the humility, sacrifice, and compassion of Jesus. If our light is truly shinning then we draw attention not to ourselves but to God: “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
So today let us not hide our light, our compassion, our goodness, our love “under a bushel basket”! Let us reflect the compassion, goodness, and love of God to all that we meet.