Many years ago I studied Anglican spirituality at Canterbury
Cathedral in England. The first night the dean of that
church introduced participants to the program with a candlelight
pilgrimage through the cathedral. At times the only sounds were
our footsteps. Our candles gave off a surprising amount of light
in that cavernous edifice.

We were given time in the catacombs for prayer and meditation.
I reflected then on the light from those candles. We could
see one another clearly in what would have been total darkness.
That is what the light of Christ does within us: It allows us to
see others and to realize they are our brothers and sisters even
in the darkest of times.

Jesus drew on the common experiences of people when
teaching them about the love of God. He could use a single
mustard seed to describe how the kingdom of God grows, or a
farmer sowing seeds in an unplowed field to describe how the
Word spreads and is received. Jesus uses a lighted candle that
brings light to those inside the home to encourage the disciples
to be a light to the world. Just as a single candle can bring light
to a whole room, a single voice in a dark world can bring the
light of hope.

Unlike salt, which can lose its capacity to provide flavor,
the light shines brightly; rather than being hidden, we place
it on a lampstand, and it shines on all within its range. Jesus
calls the disciples to shine forth—not for their own benefit but
to the glory of God. We manifest through our hands and hearts
the light that brightens our souls. Often, the simplest acts bring
others the greatest hope.