10th Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 13th June 2023

“You cannot give what you don’t have.”  Sometimes, we exploit this familiar phrase to excuse ourselves from doing more. The interplay between today’s Psalm and Gospel readings challenges us to honesty: spiritually speaking, we have what it takes to live our Christian faith fully.

The Lord’s light shines on us, the psalmist confesses. His light shone through His words: they teach us His statues and help us understand His countenance. His words enlighten us to know Him. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus challenges His followers: it is not enough to know Him as Lord and Saviour; they must be like Him, God’s light to the world. Good we sing, ‘Christ Be Our Light.’

At Easter Vigil, we light our candles from the Paschal Candle that is Christ. We receive Him, our Light. Our reception means nothing unless we let it infuse, fill and overflow from our hearts. To do this we must interiorise Jesus’ teachings in our personal lives and let it shine in others’ lives. Christ is their Light. Close to the lost and outcast. Merciful to the sinful and despised. Tender to the suffering and broken-hearted. Are we Christ’s light?

St Anthony of Padua was. He served the poor and taught the faith. He recognised that Jesus’ Spirit in him gave him Light to be Christ to them. Today, let us recognise this Light within us and claim our Christian identity in Jesus. Be bold then and be His light for everyone.

St Anthony of Padua, pray for us.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Sixth Day (13th June): Attentive Heart