Our Life Should become a Lamp stand for Christ, who is the Light

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week :  Tuesday*

*Feast of St Antony of Padua and Lisbon*

*Gospel : Mt 5:13-16*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 1:18-22*

*Our Life Should become a Lamp stand for Christ, who is the Light*

*1) We have received the Light of Christ*

During the Baptism ceremony, a lighted candle from the Paschal Candle is given to us 

This Paschal candle represents the Risen Christ, and the Light is nothing Jesus himself 

So, by getting light from the Paschal Candle means, we are receiving Christ Himself in our life 

In this way all of us have, received the light of Christ 

*2) We need to spread this light*

It is not enough to receive the Light. It is very important to spread this light every where 

So it is our duty to co-operate with the Light to spread everywhere by being the Lamp stand

*3) Lamp Stand has the pride of carrying the Light*

Lamp stand should feel proud, because it carries with it a very important source, the source of light 

The lamp stand should feel proud because it can life the light to higher level 

The lamp stand should feel proud because, it is through the stand the light becomes visible, the light gets a prominent place, the light is seen by everyone and finally the stand also gets some recognition

*4) Lamp Stand helps the Light to shine and to spread its light*

In fact this becomes a mission of the lamp stand. 

When the light is kept on the lamp stand it can shine better, it can be seen by many and it can attract many 

So lamp stand contributes a lot in spreading the light of the lamp 

*5) Light on the Lamp stand is visible to everyone* 

In a way, the lamp stand makes the lamp to visible to everyone 

Lamp stand makes the vision of the lamp very clear and thus the light become more effective and creative to all those who come into contact with the lamp 

*6) My life as Lamp Stand*

Lamp stand is the model for my life. I need to play the role of Lamp Stand in order,  Jesus the light to shine from my life 

So I need the following things in my life to become the lamp stand 

I need the humility to accept and carry the lamp 

As a lamp stand I need to allow myself or my life, to shine the light of Christ 

As a lamp stand, my life should provide a proper place, to fix the lamp, who is Jesus himself 

As a lamp stand I must have the joy and willingness to carry the Lamp, who is Jesus himself

So am I ready to become the Lamp Stand for the sake of Jesus, who is the Light  of my life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*