Lucerna Ardens | Shining lamp

"He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light." – John 5: 35

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Jesus being God did not require any human testimony. Even then Jesus accepted the testimony of John the Baptist. Here we see the humility of Jesus and at the same time he wanted to give all glory to God his Father. 

Jesus is making a testimony about John the Baptist –"He was a burning and shining lamp." John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus and in this process he was not just burning but was giving bright light. We all know how John the Baptist was killed by Herod for standing for truth and justice.  We read in John 8:12 –"I am the light of the world." The same light (Jesus) is telling us in Matthew 5:14 – "You are the light of the world." Jesus wants all of us to be his witnesses. As we read in Matthew 5:16 – "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Jesus wants us to be another John the Baptist. Jesus wants us to shine so bright that we may be able to light up the whole world.

Dear friends in Christ Jesus, the more we fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit, the more we become holier, the more we do the will of God in our lives we will be able to shine out more brightly. As John the Baptist let us also try to be not just burning but shining, so that others may be able to rejoice in our light. We may show them the right path to Jesus and also will be able to glorify God just like John the Baptist. 

Come Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts. amen.

 

Reflection on John 5: 25-47 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

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