Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
As I was pondering inspiration for this week’s blog, it dawned on me how the Lord works in varied ways to remind us of our faith, recenter us, and renew our interest in it. One of the images from this Sunday’s Gospel is light. Jesus is telling the Apostles that they are to proclaim the Gospel from the rooftops and speak it in the light. Another famous passage about shining our light has been on my mind recently also from Matthew, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).
I was praying with this image of light this week because earlier when I was browsing social media, which was mostly saturated with NBA Finals content, there it was: a short video clip from a podcast featuring Catholic sisters. They are the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Michigan.
The sisters were simply speaking to each other about their daily lives, shattering many of the stereotypes and preconceptions people may have about a deeply religious life. Their warmth, joy, and sense of humor shone through. Through their conversations, they discussed their personal faith journeys, including the moment that they decided to choose Jesus Christ over a life with a husband and children, their educational backgrounds, and what the community they serve means to them.
As they spoke, every word seemed gentle, curated in authenticity and rooted in love. One could sense the Holy Spirit intermingled throughout their conversation. Watching this kind of content leaves viewers feeling lighter. I couldn’t help but think that God is using these wonderful sisters to open doors in the hearts of others. Their witness may encourage someone to attend Mass, spark a conversation about the Catholic faith, serve as a reminder of a teacher, priest, colleague, or family member who inspired them in their faith, or simply show them what an authentic life of faith can look like.
Authenticity is what came through most clearly. I found myself thinking about that simple conversation for days afterward and reflecting on how much it touched my spirit. It is a beautiful example of the Holy Spirit working through modern means. Being able to recognize God using different voices and different forms of media to reach His people is something for which I am deeply grateful.
What I found most endearing was that the sisters were not trying to impress anyone. They were simply expressing their love for God, their vocation, and their community. It made me think: What does it mean in today’s digital world to “shine”? What does it mean to let our light shine before others?
The light may not always be obvious or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like exercising patience when it would be easier to react quickly or snap. Sometimes it means choosing kindness in a group setting or even in a group chat. It may look like expressing joy and gratitude when everything is not going right.
It can even be something as simple as changing the way we speak. Instead of saying, “I have to do this,” we can say, “I get to do this.” That subtle shift helps to remind us of events and task that we take for granted. These small acts may seem inconsequential, but they accumulate over time and become a witness to others.
Perhaps that is what Jesus meant when He told us to let our light shine before others. We do not need a large platform or a massive viral moment. We simply need to live authentically, rooted in Christ, allowing His love to be reflected through our words, actions, and interactions with others. You never know whose faith might be renewed because of it.