Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 8:16-18

Focusing on the theme of light, Pope Francis explained this passage during one of his homilies in 2016 and said: “If you do not want to be Christians in name only, you have to carry out your daily commitment to “preserve, and not hide” the light that was given to you at baptism. This is a commitment that takes place in “everyday” life, taking care not to give in to certain temptations in which one tends to fall. Jesus came to bring a message of love and hope, the message of salvation for all people. And it is not a secret message nor is it an exclusive message for a few people. There are many in the Church who still believe that the saving grace of God is meant only for a small group of the chosen ones. Even the apostles of Jesus had nurtured similar thoughts. We will soon reflect on John complaining to Jesus there is someone who does not belong to their group, but casts out demons in the name of Jesus. Throughout the history of the Church, over many centuries, the Gospel has also been hidden under layers of traditions and customs, of morals and theology. Even the reading of the Bible was restricted for a long time, prohibiting the Christians from accessing the Word of God. To cherish the light is to safeguard something that we have received as a gift and we are luminous because we have received the gift of light on the day of baptism. In the early centuries of the Church, and in some Eastern Churches even today, baptism is called ‘enlightenment’. Remember, when the sacrament of baptism is administered, the newly baptised is given a lighted candle as a sign: it is the light that is the gift of God. The baptism is a constant reminder that we are called to be responsible for keeping the light of the Gospel shining in our world and drawing everyone to life and hope. We are responsible for making sure that the lamp is not hidden but that it shines to give the light of Christ to all around. May the Holy Spirit help us not to fall into these bad habits that cover the light. May He help us to carry forward the light we received freely, that light of God that does so much good – the light of friendship, the light of meekness, the light of faith, the light of hope, the light of patience, the light of goodness.”