For the last few weeks, we have been reflecting upon the meaning in our lives of Christ’s words given to His disciples and to us, “You are the light of the world.”

We have noted how much the world and our own American society need our light. We’ve commented on the growing darkness, and especially the loss of a sense of God’s love, God’s presence and God’s law in our world and our lives.

It needs to be recognized, however, that the light that we bear is not our own. It does not come from our personal merits, decisions or actions.

The light that we bear to the world is a reflection of the one true light which is Jesus Christ. That is why before we can begin to witness before the world, we need to witness to ourselves by a personal and deep love for the person of Jesus.

Do we have that sense of Jesus’ presence in our lives at every moment, guiding us and yes, demanding of us union with His will? Do we have a prayer in our hearts and on our lips throughout the day? Does our prayer find it’s high point in Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist and at Mass, especially Mass each Sunday?

Do I strive to ensure that in my heart and personal faith there are no dark corners where I put aside or exempt myself from any elements of the teaching of Christ’s Church?

We must not underestimate how much humility it requires of us to empty ourselves in order to reflect fully the light of another. Spiritually we often have to let go of our own ideas, our own preferences, and then joyfully take on those of Jesus.

Because that is the task for our whole lifetime, we must not underestimate how much effort it takes so that we never grow discouraged or weary of reflecting Christ. That is why we need the strength of prayer, of the Mass and of the forgiveness of our sins in the sacrament of confession.

But Jesus tells us that we are to give light to all in the house. In other words, we can’t keep our light to ourselves.

In God’s plan it is our responsibility and our honor to make Christ visible to the world. Our light is used by Christ to bring others to Himself or perhaps to keep those who are wavering, close to Him.

That’s why the increasing darkness of the world and especially of our own society is so worrisome. It is not said often enough today, but souls who die without the light of Jesus face the eternal loss of heaven. That increases the importance and the urgency of our task.

Of course, the darkness of the world resists the witness of our light. Jesus told His followers to be ready for the same opposition that He endured. But today, that opposition takes a particular form.

We are made to feel unwelcome and out of place. Often our witness to the light is not so much attacked as it is laughed at as superstition, something at odds with the “real knowledge” that is science alone.

The temptation for the believer then is to be intimidated into silence or to be cowed into a watered down life of faith that will not disturb the consciences of those around us. But these are precisely the moments when we must be most committed to being light for the world.

When others won’t, we must raise our voices for the exclusion or mistreatment of the poor or the immigrant.

If a family member is heading down the road of an immoral lifestyle or a marriage inconsistent with Christ’s teaching, we cannot let such a moment pass in silence.

If our children show signs of wanting to join so many who don’t attend Sunday Mass, they need our witness and word of light, not the silence that simply tries to find a way to get along.

And when our society loses its way in protecting those most vulnerable, as we have seen recently with the Planned Parenthood videos, we simply must pick up our pens and raise our voices.

In short, we cannot be embarrassed or afraid to speak up on behalf of Christ. Jesus has told us to do so.

He gives us His help and His strength. It will take patience and courage.

But better families, a better world and eternal life with Christ result when everyone walks according to the light of Christ.