Everyone could see the Lord radiate through Moses, though Moses did not know he was glowing (Ex 34:29-35). Everybody could see that Moses was valuable to God and to humanity. But an empty field with buried treasure (see Mt 13:44), as Jesus describes in today's gospel passage, does not readily appear to be valuable, nor does it radiate beauty, value, and importance. A person who sells all to buy an empty field of apparent low value looks not radiant, but foolish.
Jesus does tell us to let our light shine before men (Mt 5:16), but in a humble way. Our job is to listen daily to the Lord in prayer (Lk 10:39). Daily Mass is a wonderful way to do this. Just like being exposed daily to nuclear radiation would make us "glow" with nuclear energy, much more so will receiving the Holy Eucharist make us radiant with God's grace and joy. After spending daily time with the Lord listening to Him, the change in us becomes noticeable to others. We humble ourselves so it is God alone Who shines through us. We decrease so He may increase (Jn 3:30).
Humble yourself before the Lord, that He may exalt you and shine through you. Radiate His presence so others might give God glory (Mt 5:16). "Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy" (Ps 34:6).
| PRAYER: | Father, Your Word says that in Your light I "shall be radiant at what" I see (Is 60:5). Shine through me so that when others look at me, they see only You. |
| PROMISE: | "Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at His footstool; holy is He!" –Ps 99:5 |
| PRAISE: | St. Eusebius stood up for the truths of the faith. He persevered in his stand even though his opponents threatened his life, dragged him through city streets, and held him in prison. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College