By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON, JR.
Last week we began our study on the parables of Jesus. We were reminded of their importance and how they help us in living our faith well. Today we will begin by looking at the Parable of the Lamp. This parable can be found in all three of the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Here are the parables from each of the Gospels.
The Gospel of Luke says: “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore, see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light” (Luke 11:33-36).
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “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” (Matt. 5:15-16).
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says: “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” (Mark 4:21-22). Here in Matthew’s Gospel the explanation of the lamp is a continuation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and the discourse on salt and light.
Looking at each of the passages above we see the importance that “light” plays in our lives, so much so that each of the Gospel writers says the exact same thing. For us as Catholics, however, this should not be seen as out of the ordinary, considering our Faith is centered around this very theme. In the Parable of the Lamp, Jesus explains that “light” is to be revealed, not concealed. Thus, Jesus Himself, as the light of the world was revealed at the Incarnation and this revelation of “Divine Light” must always be revealed.
The use of light is not done so in a figurative way, the “light” being referred to is a reality to which we are called to live. In the infancy narrative of Luke’s Gospel, this theme of light is revealed through the star that shone in the sky alerting the shepherds and the Magi of the birth of Christ and that illuminated their way to Bethlehem. The light of the star stopped right over the Author of Light Himself, who is Jesus the Christ.
Not only did this light illuminate the way to Bethlehem, but it is also the same light that lights the path to eternity. The light of the Incarnation is a gift we receive in Baptism. The Rite of Baptism includes a specific moment whereby we receive this light. After the water is poured over our foreheads, and after we are anointed with Chrism denoting that we are sharers in Christ’s dignity of being Priest, Prophet, and King, we receive the Light of Christ.
During this moment our souls are illuminated with the “light” that directs us to Heaven. Here is what the ritual says: “Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He (she) is to walk always as a child of the light. May he (she) keep the flame of faith alive in his (her) heart. When the Lord comes, may he (she) go out to meet Him with all the saints in the heavenly Kingdom” (Rite of Baptism).
So, if we are permeated with this “divine light” which is a gift from God the Almighty, then it would seem that there exists an obligation to let that light shine. I think we all remember that little catchy tune “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Well, this catchy tune is precisely what we are called to do. In the parable, Jesus is urging us to allow the “light of Christ” within us to shine into a world that is covered in darkness.
The darkness of today is very similar to the darkness experienced during Jesus’ time. In fact, the same message Jesus spoke over two thousand years ago regarding loving God and our neighbor is still relevant today. Unquestionably, that message is even more necessary today. Today’s darkness has been ratcheted up several notches.
Total Confusion
The darkness of today includes issues pertaining to morality, the dignity of the person, and more important, a total lack of the knowledge of God. When we discuss issues of morality, we are talking about how the sexual revolution of our time has infiltrated all aspects of society. This revolution has caused a total confusion regarding the gift of human sexuality. The “life-giving” nature of sexuality has been replaced by a mere objective and, frankly, false understanding. What were once considered sacred actions devoted to the act of love have been transformed into an action of selfish love. True conjugal love, united between a man and a woman, is by its nature unitive; meaning, together they bring about the gift of new life. Society, however, has introduced a false sense of the “life-giving” nature of sexuality. This is most visible through the confusion that exists in the LGBTQ agenda of our times. The misguided LGBTQ agenda contributes greatly to the darkness of our times because it snuffs out the “light of Christ” through a corrupt sense of sexuality.
In discussing the dignity of the human person, the issue predominantly needing our attention are the countless abortions of our time. Sadly, the darkness of this issue has even infiltrated the Church’s hierarchy. So many of our bishops, the successors of the apostles, will not take a stand in doing what is morally right.
We see this most visibly in our so-called “catholic” president of the United States. Here is an elected official who consistently supports legislation that denies the dignity of the innocent person and promotes the murder of these babies, and yet nothing is done by our many bishops to reprimand these horrific actions. Sadly, there exists a rupture in the ranks of our bishops regarding the reception of Holy Communion for those who support and promote abortion.
In our own nation’s capital, the cardinal archbishop of Washington, D.C., His Eminence Wilton Gregory, has stated he has no problem with giving Holy Communion to the so-called catholic President Joe Biden.
In another scenario, when the archbishop of San Francisco, the Most Rev. Salvatore Cordileone, reprimanded and forbade Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving Holy Communion, also because of her stance on supporting abortion legislation, what did Pelosi do? She went to the Vatican and participated in the celebration of Holy Mass and received Communion. When even our bishops, who represent the apostles, treat the truths and tenets of the faith as political pawns so as not to lose face, then we have a major problem. Something is wrong with this picture!
Stand Up And Defend The Faith
Returning to the parable above and the need to let the light of the lamp, who is Christ, shine, requires courage. All of the parables are an opportunity for us to reflect on where we need to grow. One of the areas needing growth today is our ability to stand up and defend the truths of our faith. Each of us needs to be the beacon of divine light that will disrupt the darkness of our times. This requires followers who are willing to let the light of baptismal grace shine forth brightly in today’s world.
We can destroy the darkness and restore it to the beauty that is Christ our Light!
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