Brothers and sisters, the English writer Cronin worked as a doctor in a region with no hospital. A 50-year-old nurse helped him with his work. In one article, he writes these words about her: She was a soul that radiated light and a smile. She was selfless to the extreme. Day and night, she stayed with the sick for a small salary. I once told her: “It’s ridiculous to work for so little.” But she replied with a bright smile: “It’s enough for me to live on.” I contradicted her: “They should give you at least a little extra because only God knows how much you deserve for your work.” She replied: “Doctor, if God knows how much I deserve, then I don’t need anything else.” After these words, I was stunned. Later I confessed to myself: Then a ray of light penetrated me, in which I saw the extraordinary life of a nurse and the miserable emptiness of my life.
Brothers and sisters, in the Gospel, we heard the words: “The people living in darkness saw a great light . The light shone on those sitting in the dark region of death” (Mt 4, 16). The evangelist Matthew gives us light in today’s text. Many readers speak of God as light and sin as darkness in the holy scriptures. From the first chapter of the Bible, where we read how God first created light (cf. Gn 1, 3), to its last chapter, where Jesus himself becomes the source of light for the new Jerusalem (cf. Rev 21, 23-26 ). Ray also played a bi-significant role in the Christmas holidays we experienced. And also, at the Epiphany – even the wise men were brought to Bethlehem by the light of a star (cf. Mt 2:2; Mt 2:9).
The good Gospel message we heard advises us today to accept light into our lives and, simultaneously, be a light for others, just as the nurse in the opening story was. The Evangelist Matthew wants to tell us that the true Light also wants to shine in our lives. And the light that wants to come to us is Jesus Christ.
And when we look at today’s modern society, we see that darkness in the form of envy, hatred, malice, slander, negative thoughts, and evil practices works everywhere. And only people who receive Jesus – the “Light” into their lives can shed light on this darkness. The more Light, that is, good deeds, benevolent thoughts, justice, love… we can give, the better our society will be.
We tend to criticize life and say how terrible everything is. Yes, it is true, but we create that evil through our decisions. When perceiving the events that are currently happening, we, too, are often seized by the desire to somehow contribute to saving the world. Sometimes the idea of ourselves in the role of Superman flashes through our heads. However, we often suppress such an idea in ourselves, thinking that we would not be able to do it. But do we not have enough strength for it? Do we not have enough options for that? The truth is that there are many people around us who we can help. You need to want and keep your eyes open. After all, we have some abilities, knowledge, and skills. Each of us can give something to the other. Everyone can be “Superman” in their little world at times.
Sometimes a smile, good advice, help, comfort, and a little interest are enough. However, it is essential to open the heart. The biggest problem of our time is not wars and weapons but the nature of man, which is bitter. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: Hunger is not only about bread. There is also a hunger for love. Nudity is not only about clothes but also about a lack of respect for one another.
At least in the corner of his soul, every person desires to devote his life to something good and wise. It’s everyone’s personal choice, and it’s good to sometimes think about what it could be for each of us. It doesn’t have to be big things; maybe little things are enough. It’s good to have something to focus on that has meaning for us. And basically, we don’t even have to tell anyone about it; we can keep it to ourselves; we; wet even have to think about it in detail,’; it’s if we just set our mon. Sometimes a sincere interest in people is enough. Love in the heart is the most excellent resource that can capture the light in another person. If we open our hearts to love, we will spread light everywhere. And Light – Christ in the heart and soul- is the best protection against darkness.
No more Light we can receive, the more we will give it in the form of love, joy, compassion… It has already been said and written many times: What we radiate, we attract. We are all creators of a new reality in our environment. Therefore, do not forget that we came from the Light and are returning to the Light. Light is our true essence.
Brothers and sisters, the doctor was struck by the words of a simple nurse in the opening speech. She became the bearer of light in his life. Christ’s Light also hides in our hearts. Let’s meet him with others on the road. The more we shine, the less darkness there will be in our society.
