Let His Light Shine ♥

During his message at the Concluding Mass of the Papal Visit, Cardinal Tagle promised our dear Pope Francis that the Filipinos will be the lights of Christ in Asia and in the world.

Such big a promise that equates to a bigger responsibility for the Filipino Church and all of us faithfuls. But with Mary, the Star of Evangelization, as our model, we certainly can fulfill our Cardinal's vow.

In the Gospel, we are called to be salt of the earth and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16). But we are not to produce our own light, for the light comes from Jesus Himself. Just like Mary, we do not have light of our own, but we would only reflect the light of Christ. Thus, we must always be connected and one with Him. After all, He is the Vine and we are the branches, apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

How can we be truly lights of Asia and the world? We shine with the light of Jesus.

In more concrete ways, we are to:

1. Commune with God in prayer as often as we can in a day, everyday. Through prayer, we will know His will, and we will be guided as to how we would live out our special calling.

2. Receive Jesus in the Eucharist more often. We know that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a foretaste of heaven, and heaven is our destination, our true home. The more that we receive Jesus, the more that we become closer to home. As we strive to imitate Christ (that we may truly reflect His light), we become more aware of our actions and more conscious whether what we do here on earth would eventually lead us to heaven.

3. Commit to give ourselves wholly in service of God's beloved children. Our relationship with God affects our relationship with our neighbors. The more we feel God's love, the more we are impelled to love even those who are unlovable. The gift of one's self is the ultimate expression of love. Jesus Himself said, "there is no greater love than this: to lay one's life for the sake of the other." (John 15:13)

Now that the Pope is back in Rome, the real challenge begins: to become agents of mercy and compassion, blessing the world with the radiant light of Christ.

So help us God. :)

Lumina Pandit: Spread the light of Christ ♥

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