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Light for the world

“You are like light for the whole world. A city built
on a hill cannot be hid” — Matthew 5:14

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to break her long silence and to come out on TV, accepting her fault on the wiretapping scandal, and begging for people’s understanding and forgiveness, is a welcome move for all of us citizens of this country. It reminds us of the fact that leaders to be effective should always be honest and transparent on the things they claim to be doing for the country. They should be like a light that would show us the way, rather than bringing us into the pit of darkness and confusion.

We are reminded once again of Jesus’ mandate for his disciples to be like “light for the whole world” (Matthew 5:14-16). But what do we mean by this? First of all, a light is there to be seen. Jesus said, “A city that is on a hill can not be hid”. Indeed, a city standing on a hilltop strikes the eye straight away. It stands out from the surrounding countryside so that everyone can see it. A light is like that. On a dark night, for instance, we can see a lighted candle.

When Jesus said that we must be like light for the whole world, he was simply saying that first and foremost we must make our Christian faith visible. Sometimes that is easier said than done. The easier way to live our Christian life is to do what others are doing. But then true believers of the Christ are mandated to stand out among other people. They should radiate in their own lives the life of the Christ.

Moreover, a light also guides people. For instance, a lighthouse is put up to show the right direction the ship should go. A light shows us where to go and keeps us from getting lost. True believers of the Christ must be like a light in this manner. Meaning, they must be examples to others, showing them the right way and helping them to remain in it and to keep to it.

Truly, in our society many are just waiting for good examples. If only someone will give them a lead they will do the right thing and follow the right way. People don’t have the courage and the strength to make their own decisions. Left to themselves, they would take the easy way and follow what others are doing. But if someone gives them leadership and an example, they would do the right thing. True believers in the Christ should be that example.

There was a time when the judges of the Metro Manila Film Festival led by Alejandro Roces withheld the award for the Best Picture. According to the judges, the local movies included in the festival were uniformly lacking in Filipino values, and much more Christian values. The judges believed that the point of awards is not simply to pick out the best among the worst, but also to establish a minimum level of goodness or quality. For whether we like it or not, movies are very powerful instruments in shaping people’s values and behaviors.

Jesus’ life is an example for us, and if we follow that example, we in turn will be an example to others. In our day- to-day life, there is always someone who is watching us – either a friend or a younger person. And that person may follow the example we give. It is indeed a great responsibility laid upon us, especially to our leaders. We have to be like a light for the whole world, showing people the right path and helping them to walk in it and to keep to it. In words and in deeds, we have to pass on to others the example of the Christ himself. One of the reasons why there is so much corruption in our country today is because our leaders do not set up a good example.

And finally, a light also gives warning. If there were dangerous obstructions on the road, for instance, there would be red lights to warn the motorists or travelers. If the motorist would see the red traffic light, he must stop; to go on is to risk an accident. The light warns us of danger and saves us from danger. This is one of the tasks of true believers in Christ: to warn others who are running into danger and to save them from making errors in judgment.

Oftentimes, a word of warning spoken in time will save a person from a great deal of trouble later on. If we see, for instance, a friend or even a leader in government following a way that can only lead to trouble, it is our duty to speak that word of warning that will stop him or her. It should not be spoken in an angry, critical, or fault - finding way. But rather, it should be spoken in a kindly and friendly way.

Let us be reminded, however, that to be like light for the whole world is to always follow Christ who the Light of the world is. We cannot show others what to do unless Christ shows us what to do. When we come to know Christ and come to know what is right, then we have the duty to help others to do the right. We have to live our lives in such a way that people will see that we are true believers in Christ. And if we do these things, then, we too will be able to obey Jesus’ commandment to be like light for the whole world. #

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