You have a flashlight and you walk into a darkroom. Do you immediately shut off your flashlight? Of course not! You use the flashlight to see in the darkness. Jesus gives us this practical or everyday wisdom in today’s Gospel: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed…he places it on a lamp stand so that those who enter may see the light.”
Of course, Jesus is not trying to give us practical advice but spiritual advice. Like a good teacher He uses every day, concrete experiences to teach us. What is the light? It is Jesus: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). If we follow Jesus’ way we will never walk in darkness. His teaching and His actions are a sure guide for our daily life since He shows us how to do the will of His heavenly Father.
Jesus also teaches us that we are light when we reflect this light of Jesus. His teaching at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount is really a reflection on today’s Gospel:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 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.” (Matthew 5:14-16).
How do we know if we are truly reflecting Jesus’ light and being a light for our world? Do our words and our actions draw people to God or drive people away from God. If we are hypocritical, quick to judge, and condemn, we then become like the darkness and drive people away from the church and even from God. So, our church leaders and all of us are challenged to let our light shine, the light of Jesus, and not hide it under a bushel basket so that people may see our good deeds give praise to God.