“Then light shall rise for you in the darkness…” – Isaiah 58:10

       “Brownout!” my friend shouted the moment the lights went off. I was in an out-of-town getaway with friends at a lake town in Batangas. Pitch black darkness was all around us with only the stars lighting up the sky, the waters, and our way. They suddenly shone brightly and beautifully!

       This reminded me of how much we are surrounded by darkness — the refugee crisis, war-torn Middle East, ISIS terrorism, sex trafficking, corruption, poverty, just to name a few. Sometimes the darkness can be so overwhelming that the light of our goodness seems insignificant.

       Friend, God calls us to shine our light, no matter how seemingly small or simple, to dispel the darkness around us. In fact, we are called to be light in the darkest of places so that we may light the way of others who are walking in darkness. So don’t turn off your light. Keep it lit. Keep it on. Darkness exists because some have turned off their light.

      Remember, light shines brightest in the dark. So keep shining because there’s always someone who needs a flashlight in the dark. Mike Viñas (mikemichaelfcv@yahoo.com, @mikevinas)

Reflection:“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Jesus, You are the light of the world. May I reflect Your light through my love.

St. Agatha, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

Isaiah is calling for justice in society. What is justice? There are many answers to this question. One aspect of justice that is often overlooked is the common good, particularly that for which the government is responsible. All members of society, rich or poor, should be provided with basic utilities such as transportation, water, electricity and others.

7 Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; 10 if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

R: The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. (R) 6 He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. (R) 8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

The power of the Gospel is inherent in its nature as truth. The Gospel will cut through the lies of the world. Paul celebrates this power when he said that he does not need to be an eloquent speaker as the truth has the power to convince the unbeliever. Jesus knew this and He often spoke in parables – stories that illuminate the truth in the common language. Like Jesus and Paul, we need not worry about what we say but to allow the truth of the Gospel of Salvation to speak for itself.

1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Why does the Gospel have power? Why does the witness of Christians have power? Because the Gospel is true and there lies its power. I discovered in my faith walk that the more I trust in the truth of the Gospel, the more it is manifested in my life and the lives of those I minister to. This is the faithfulness of God at work.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

13 Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

think: Do you bring Christ’s light to others in the way you live your life? How can He enable you to “shine brighter”?

Read the Bible in one year  Romans 1-4

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

YUM YUM YUM! PING PING PING!

So goes the famous line from the Kusina Master himself, Chef Boy Logro. He’s a very simple man with humble beginnings. He didn’t reach high school or study in a culinary institution to become the famous chef that he is now. He learned everything through sheer determination, hard work and faith. The gastronomical wonders that he creates are borne out of the gifts that the Lord has given him — gifts that he feels he has to share. His cooking is his life. It’s also his prayer.

     He even built a church for a local parish in Compostela Valley. For someone who knew the needs of the poor and was very poor himself when he was young, he knows how to give. That’s what makes his life even more delicious. Every opportunity to share becomes a “Yum yum yum! Ping ping ping!” experience.

       Today’s Gospel urges us to continue discovering the innate goodness in each of us. We are challenged to give flavor to others. “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt gives the “yum yum yum” flavor to any food we eat. In the same way, every act of kindness, every gesture of charity, every good intention to be of help can make a lot of difference in the lives of others.

       “You are the light of the world.” Every good gift from the Lord should be a shining light to others. It has to be a testimony of God’s love working in us and touching countless lives. The First Reading says it all: “Share your bread to the hungry, shelter the oppressed and homeless; clothe the naked when you see them... Then your light shall break forth like the dawn.”

     Light is naturally spread out. It’s impossible to hide it. Staying connected with the Lord makes us naturally receptive to every form of darkness other people are experiencing and where our own share of light can be of use. We are called to share His light. Salt and light we should be, to add flavor and illumination to an otherwise bland and dark world. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS

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Dear Jesus, may I be able to guide others through the dark valleys of my life. Amen.