Let the Son Shine

A few days ago at work, I was really cold and could not stay warm.  I was doing some training with one of my co-worker’s whose office space is right next to a window.  After a certain point in the day, the sunlight hit the glass.  Once I moved closer to her desk, I felt the sun shining through the window.  Bright and intense, it warmed me up instantly.  It was like I was sitting next to a fire.  Moving closer to the sun, the light and warmth changed how I felt.  In the same way, when we let the Son into our lives, and move closer to Him, His light and warmth changes us and those around us.

The light and love of Christ changes everything.  Before we ever have a real encounter with Him, our faith might be lukewarm and our hearts cold and hard.  When we open up our hearts to Him and allow ourselves to be transformed, we will be set ablaze.  All it takes is one little spark to ignite in our souls for our faith to turn into a fire.

 How many Catholics are living mediocre spiritual lives?  How many people are in the dark, searching for truth in the world?  How many are lost and without hope?  How many people have lost the fire that they maybe once had?  Once we have experienced the light and love of Jesus, we must reflect that light and love to others.

Jesus desires for us to be souls on fire.  And every day, we must take action to keep that fire burning.  How can we do this?  Attending mass and receiving the Eucharist, reading scripture, spending time in adoration and prayer, reading spiritual books, going on retreats, and spending time with others who share our faith are just a few ways that we can build that fire up so that we can share it with all we encounter.  It is by our warmth, light, and love that others can be drawn to Christ.

The world often seems like a dark place.  There is so much violence, hatred, despair, and confusion.  But the light is greater than the darkness.  People walking down paths of darkness need to be shown love and light.  May we all let the Son shine in our lives and work to help light the way.
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Jesus, you are the light of the world.  Without you, there is no hope and the world would seem dark and cold.  Give us the desire to move closer to you and help us be a reflection of your light and love to all we meet.  Set our hearts and souls on fire with flames that burn so brightly that others might come to know You.  Amen.