Sharing the Light of Our Baptism

Light is a powerful image of how we are to live our faith.  God gives each of us a charism which has the potential to bring light to the world.  Jesus reminds us that we are expected to put our faith into practice (Luke 8: 16-18) and we do this by using our God-given gifts, talents and charism.   We are the igniters of our lights and they only begin to shine when we answer the call from the community and/or God.   We grow and discover new gifts throughout our lifetimes.  

If we imagine joining our light with the light of others, and the world is flooded with generous, grace-filled goodness, the power is almost incomprehensible.  “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather… places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”  (Luke 8:16)

If we are not igniting the fire of our light, then our charism may fade, and the light may start to flicker; even be extinguished.   Jesus emphasizes this when He says: “To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8:18)

When a child is baptized the parents and Godparents, family and friends, and possibly other parishioners gather for the ceremony.  The parents are asked by the priest if they understand the responsibility of the baptism and raising their child “as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.”

During the Sacrament, the child (and parents or Godparents) is given a baptismal candle with a flame shared from the Easter candle.  The pastor reminds everyone that our faith, like that flame, “is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ.  She is to walk always as a child of the light.”

Our faith, our baptism, has been entrusted to each one of us to keep the flame burning brightly.  It’s not just our own faith lives that are kept aflame, but we have a responsibility as a member of the Christian community to keep that flame alive for each other.

How do we live our lives as Christians?  Pope Francis says about this gospel that the light we find in Jesus’ teachings comes from our love for the poor and for our neighbor.  This commitment, Francis says, takes place in our daily lives and in the here and now.  “Never put off the good,” Francis reminds us.  “The good is today, and if you do not do it today, tomorrow it will not be there. Do not conceal the good for tomorrow.”

He adds, “Do not say to your neighbor: ‘Yes, go, go, go... then pass again and I will give it to you tomorrow.’  If you have with you now what the person is asking for … do not make the needy person wait.”

What can we do with this day we have been given?  Today, how do we carry the light of our baptism?  How do we share it with others? Who will we encounter in our life today who needs to see the light of our Christian love shining?  What kind of example do we set for others in our community?

It begins with our neighbors and the poor, Francis reminds us.  Those we encounter each day.  Those we avoid each day.  Those who are in pain and suffering.  Jesus shows us the light and asks us to carry that light and love to those around us.