The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of May 25
"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house." – Luke 8:16
The truth is, some of us might feel intimidated when we read today’s verse from Luke. We might picture a pastor preaching the Good News or a missionary spreading the Word of God far and wide, but we ourselves might not feel qualified to do the same.
Our words can be a powerful and effective way of communicating the message of the Gospels, but preaching or talking about our faith aren’t the only ways to convey the Good News.
Look closely at the language in this verse: “…its light can be seen by all…” Jesus is telling us that our actions – what others see – can be just as powerful and impactful as what they might hear from us. In other words, as St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel. When necessary, use words.”
The Holy Spirit lives in each one of us, and our role is to shine the light of the Spirit brightly through our words and our actions so that others may recognize Jesus and be inspired and encouraged to then shine their own light of the Holy Spirit on someone else.
Today, let’s take a moment to think about one small way in which we can let the light of the Holy Spirit shine out from us to illuminate the way for someone else.
Dear Jesus, what an amazing gift You have given me: the Holy Spirit, Your very essence, in me. Today, guide me toward someone who needs Your Light. Help me bless someone else by shining Your Light onto them, so that they too, will know Your love. Amen.