Posted November 15, 2008
A young lady told her pastor she was “fed up” with her work environment. She was the only one there with any religious ideals, and wanted to quit. He asked her, “Where do you put the lamps in your house?” Taken aback by the question, she responded that they would be placed in otherwise dark areas. Her own mind was enlightened by her very answer to that question. His question was a one sentence thought-provoking commentary on Christ’s words: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16).
“Lighting a candle” may be as simple as lighting up one’s face with a smile when it’s difficult, or a word of encouragement to a downcast coworker; it may be the example of a brief “Bible-snack” during one’s lunch hour, or a clear answer to a spiritually or morally confused employee. “In everything set… an example by doing what is good,” is Paul’s simple advice (Ti 2:7). That “everything” embraces a myriad of opportunities that present themselves to us daily for a prudent and loving response.
Tryout Paul’s checklist of good example opportunities: “in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tm 4:12).
Fr. John Hampsch – “One-Minute Meditations for Busy People”