Let Your Light Shine!

Monday, October 20, 2025

Rom 4:20-25; Lk 12:13-21

Today’s Gospel highlights that inner transformation illuminates our way to God.

Today, India celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Though fireworks light up the night sky, making it a bright spectacle, the meaning of the celebration helps us realize that inner light reflects our Christian identity and helps us ascend to God. 

For Christians, the word ‘light’ carries a rich theological meaning. Light is not just what we see externally but that which guides our steps towards God. Hence, for Christians, light refers to inner transformation.

At creation, God said, ‘Let there be light’ (Gen 1:3). When Jesus came to the world, he claimed, ‘I am the light of the world’ (Jn 8:12). Jesus also invited his disciples to be ‘the light of the world’ (Mt 5:14). The early Christian writings referred to Christians as children of light. Hence, following Christ, the Light, Christians are called to radiate Christ, and that is our strength and identity.

Today’s Gospel presents the parable of the rich fool. Why is the rich man called a fool? He could not manage his wealth to serve him; instead, he became a servant of compulsive greed, wanting to accumulate even more beyond his needs. His greed blinded his eyes; he wanted more with no reason. Jesus shows that because his greed blinded him, he was living in a world of inner darkness. As a result, he could neither raise his eyes to see the needy nor be generous enough to share his surplus. Imprisoned by selfishness, the rich man could not be a blessing to others, though God made him rich to share his blessings with others. 

We may recall Jesus’ statement here: ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Mt 5:16).

The Festival of Lights is a reminder that our lives must not reflect the temporary sparkle but the eternal radiance, following the model of Christ, the Light. 

Let us pray that we may steadily walk towards God with the help of our inner light. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar