Let Your Light Shine
Light and darkness are not abstract ideas for most of us. We know what it means to long for light when days feel heavy, when energy is low, or when hope seems thin. We also know how powerful even a small light can be—a lamp in a window, a candle in a quiet room, a simple sign that someone is present and paying attention. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on that kind of light: light that is not for display, but for the goodness of our soul.
The prophet Isaiah is clear that the light of our faith does not come from religious performance alone. It comes from concrete acts of mercy: sharing food with the hungry, welcoming the homeless, clothing the naked, and refusing to turn away from those who are bound to us by responsibility or compassion. When these things happen, Isaiah promises, “your light shall rise in the darkness.” In other words, light emerges not because we talk about goodness, but because we practice it. Compassion itself becomes illumination.
The Psalm continues this theme, describing the righteous person as gracious, merciful, and generous. Their life has a steadiness to it—a quiet confidence rooted not in wealth or power, but in trust. Their light shines in the darkness not through grand gestures, but through faithfulness over time. This is the kind of goodness that does not need to be announced. It is recognized because it endures.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reflects on how the Gospel is passed on. He admits that he did not rely on eloquence or clever arguments, but came in weakness and simplicity, trusting that faith would rest on the power of God rather than human skill. This is an important reminder. The credibility of our witness does not depend on how impressive we are, but on whether God’s love is allowed to work through us as we are.
Jesus brings these strands together in the Gospel. “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” Salt preserves and gives flavour; light reveals and guides. Neither exists for itself. Salt only matters when it is mixed in. Light only matters when it shines outward. Jesus is not encouraging attention-seeking, but responsibility. What we have been given is meant to be used for the sake of others.
A lamp is not lit to be hidden, but to help people see where they are going. When our actions are shaped by mercy, generosity, humility, and trust, they make God visible in ordinary ways. And when that happens, Jesus says, it is not we who are glorified, but God. In a world that often struggles to see clearly, a steady, lasting light can help others find their way.
Mackenzie-Fort Smith 