Shine with St. Lucia

 

Jesu Juva

St. Matthew 5:11-16                                              

December 13, 2023

Saint Lucia, Martyr                       

 Dear saints of our Savior~

          It’s all about the lights on these December nights.  Natural light is in such short supply that we seek to subdue the darkness with all manner of artificial lights.  It helps that Christmas is right around the corner.  Christmas is about the true light, which enlightens everyone, coming into the world. 

          Tonight’s theme, then, should be no surprise:  You are the light of the world. . . Let your light shine.  That’s it in a nutshell.  It sounds simple enough.  It’s not that complicated.  But the more I ponder these words of Jesus, the more convinced I become that they are among the most profound words He ever spoke.    You are the light of the world. . . Let your light shine.

          Who is the light of the world?  You are.  Jesus was emphatic about that.  The original Greek text really puts the emphasis on “you.”  YOU are the light of the world.  YOU, my disciples.  YOU, who follow me in faith.  YOU, who are poor in spirit but at the same time blessed, YOU are the light of the world.  So see yourself among that crowd.  YOU are light because Jesus says so.  YOU are, . . .but not everyone is.  YOU (but only you who follow Jesus in faith) are the light of the world.  There’s something distinctively illuminating about YOU exclusively.

          You are shining and radiant because of Jesus.  The one who calls YOU the light of the world also said of Himself, “I am the light of the world.”  That’s what you and I declare every time we gather in this place for Evening Prayer:  Jesus Christ is the light of the world . . . the Light no darkness can overcome. So which is it?  Are YOU the light of the world or is JESUS the light of the world?  You know the answer:  Yes!  Yes you are, and yes He is, because you are His and He is yours. 

          He suffered and was crucified for all the deeds of darkness that would otherwise darken your life with the threat of damnation.  That darkness and damnation are what Jesus endured as He hung from the cross, forsaken by His Father, for the sins of the world.  And Easter’s dawn means that light and life have triumphed over darkness and death.  Because Jesus lives, you will live also.

          You who believe that—you with faith in the Risen Christ—you ARE the light of the world.  Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Try hard to be the light of the world.”  He didn’t say that you should “aim” or “aspire” to be the light of the world.  He simply said, “You ARE the light of the world . . . so get busy shining.”  Letting your light shine doesn’t mean to “follow your dreams” or to “shoot for the stars” or to place yourself in the spotlight.  You are not flashing fireworks; you are not a laser show; you are light.  As light, you exist for the benefit of others.  Let me say that again:  As light, you exist for the benefit of others.

          Your shining is the benefit you give to those around you.  And this shining you do is both ordinary and extraordinary.  By “ordinary” I mean that your light is brightly shining even though you haven’t grabbed the spotlight by building an orphanage in some third-world country, or by donating a million dollars to your favorite charity.  Right now, tonight, already, apart from anything like that, YOU ARE the light of the world. 

          The smallest acts of kindness, of service, of support for your family, for this family, for your friends, your neighbors—the sacrifices you make, the household tasks you do, the forgiveness you seek from some and extend to all—when these ordinary, even routine, things are done by you in faith—YOU ARE SHINING.  When these ordinary things are done by you, dear faithful follower of Jesus, they become extraordinary.  You are an extra-ordinary spouse, parent, or child.  You are a remarkable employee, a loyal and loving friend, a generous neighbor, a powerful force for the benefit of others.  You are the light of the world. . . Let your light shine.

          Let me tell you about another shining light: Saint Lucia.  Her name, Lucia, literally means “light.”  And she gives us a beautiful example of what it means to be the light of the world.  Lucia was born around the year 280 on the island of Sicily.  Sicily is that Mediterranean island which, on the map, looks like it’s about to be kicked by the “boot” of Italy.  She was born to wealthy parents and her father died when she was a child.  As a girl, she privately decided that she would never marry, and that she would use the dowry her wealthy father had left her to care for the poor.  But her mother was unaware of Lucia’s vow and arranged for her betrothal to a wealthy young man who was not a Christian.  Eventually Lucia was able to prevail upon her mother, and her entire dowry was distributed to the poor.  Lucia let her light shine.

          But this was also a time of terrible persecution for Christians.  And when the young man to whom she was betrothed learned Lucia had given away the wealth he though was coming to him, he denounced her to the Roman governor as a Christian—he turned her in—and her execution was ordered.  A later tradition says that before Lucia was slain by the sword, her eyes were gouged out.  In those final painful moments of earthly life, this blinded girl of 24 years was able to see with perfect clarity what escapes the notice of so many who have twenty-twenty vision:  Jesus Christ is the light of the world.  The light no darkness can overcome.  And tonight, 1,719 years later, thousands of miles from Sicily, her light—Lucia’s light—still shines.

          Lucia likely didn’t see the sword that ended her life on earth.  But in that instant, with new eyes, Lucia beheld her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  And she sees Him still.  One day you will see what Lucia saw.  With your eyes made new and your tears wiped away, you too will behold the light of Christ face-to-face.  O sure, between now and then others may “revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely” on account of Jesus (just like they did to Lucia). 

          But you see what others don’t.  You see the power of your Baptism.  You see the certainty of your absolution.  You see the Savior’s love in the bread that is His body and the wine that is His blood.  You see Jesus, your Savior.  And because of that, your light will shine forever and ever.  You are the light of the world . . . Let your light shine.

          In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.