Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
It is the task of the missionary to bring the bright light of the gospel into the dark places of this world, especially into non-Christian environments. The missionary, if he is not a hypocrite, must strive with equal or greater vigor to shine the light of the gospel into the dark corners of his own soul. But, if he is a hypocrite, he will have no desire to shine that light into his private life or into the lives of his family or friends. The hypocrite focuses entirely on “other peoples” who are “far away,” while drawing a line between their dark worlds and his own dark world. To avoid the error of the hypocrite, we must struggle with our own dark side as long as we are on this earth.
“Jesus said to the crowd: ‘No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light’” (Luke 8:16). We first receive that light at our baptism, both literally and, in the form of the baptismal candle, symbolically. Then we are given the task of shining that light far and wide. The light of the gospel must not be hidden, as if it were embarrassing or offensive. Furthermore, the light must be fed with fuel to keep it burning brightly. We find this fuel especially in the sacraments and the sacramentals, and maybe even in the occasional retreat. May God’s light shine in you.