Your light must shine before others

Jesus reminds us in today’s Daily Mass Gospel reading that our religious faith is not to be kept to ourselves:

Matthew 5:13-16: “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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 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. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.’”

(Via USCCB.)

You have Faith, obtained by the free gift of God’s grace. As much as the world, for all of its lip service to tolerance and diversity, tells you that religion is a private affair not to be shared lest you offend, Jesus exhorts His followers to be a beacon to the world.

Jesus also tells us to act. Faith alone does not save, others must also see “your good deeds”. From this, God is glorified. He is seen as the source of your goodness.

Those of us who are sober, clean and chaste, also must tell others of God’s role in their recovery. Credit is given where it is deserved. Humility demands that.

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