Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8.12). The theme of light emerges repeatedly in the Gospel but each time with a different accentuation.
Just as the sun illuminates the world and reveals it to the marvelling eyes of the contemplator, warms the earth terra, makes life burst forth, gives joy and beauty to everything, so Christ, our light, illuminates our path and lights the way to God. His word is like a shining cloud which goes ahead of believers, frees them, and offers comfort and salvation to all. From the Word there comes a powerful and creative force which transforms minds and hearts of men and women so they in turn may transform society, because it infuses the light of God in minds and actions.
After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the crowds, therefore everyone without distinction: “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 lamp stand, 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. ” (Mt 5,14-16).
The house where the light of the Gospel must shine is the house where each one of us lives and also a house open to the world towards which, as Blessed Giacomo Alberione, the apostle of Communications said “we all owe the Gospel”. We are all called to the Christian apostolate.
Everyone in every walk of life, students, workers, those who care for the family or for people in need, those who teach, those who lead society or operate in one of the many areas of human life, those who pray or contemplate creation, those who experiences happiness or pain, is called to proclaim the message of Christ in word, witness or using the means of communications: each and every one is called to co-operate in the task of transforming the world, to build together a world of brotherhood and solidarity where human and Christian values shine in lives and in social structures and thus help people of every culture and religion to grow.
“God called you from the darkness into his admirable light” St Peter’s recalls in his 1st Letter (2,9). And St John urges us to walk in the light and remain in the light: “Whoever loves his brother remains in the light...” (1Jn 2.10). John underlines unequivocally that to be "children of the light" it is necessary to break with sin and live in communion with others.
At the basis of everything then there must be charity, Christian love rooted in Christ in whom we become brothers and sisters, children of the one Father. A Father who so loved the world as to give us his own Son. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are.” (3.1).
Let us walk then as Children of the Light, children who have experienced God’s love, his gift of salvation; children who believe that this love can transform our lives opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters as we journey on the roads of the world towards the house of the Father. Let us walk in the light, live in the light and communicate to all the light of Christ and in this way be channels of his peace. (Sr M. Antonieta Bruscato) (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2005, righe 41, parole 603)
