The image of a lamp on a lamp stand
giving light so that all could see would have been very powerful image to the
people of Jesus' day. The peasant homes
in ancient Palestine were generally one large room, with the family living in
one end, often in an elevated portion of the room, and the livestock sleeping
in the other end of the room at night.
In such a home, all would be able to see the light from the lamp on a
lamp stand. In addition, the Jewish
people understood light as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness
of God.
Even today, we recognize how God's
grace illuminates the darkness that can engulf our lives, how God can fill us
with spiritual light. With this light
shining in our lives, we have a mission as followers of Christ to be bearers of
this light to others, so that they may see the truth of the kingdom of God and
may be freed from darkness.
Jesus states that nothing can remain
hidden or secret. We can try to hide
things from others, from ourselves, and even from God. No matter how hard we may try to hide these
things, everything is known by God, who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who
live in the light of Christ, who allow this light to illuminate all aspects of
their lives.
Let us pray that we be guided by the
light of God's saving truth. May God
fill our hearts with his light, freeing us from
sin and deception, and allowing
us to journey through life according to God's will. May we radiate this light to others in our
words and in our actions.
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