You are the Light of the World - (Matthew 5:14-16)

During his sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches the crowd and speaks mysteriously using parables. One of them is the parable of the light of the world. After talking about happiness and holiness in the beatitudes, Jesus says two very encouraging things to the listening crowd: “you are the salt of the earth” and “you are the light of the world”. This last statement is found in the Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 5:14-16), Luke (Luke 8:16) and Mark (Mark 4:21). Let us learn about this parable and what it means to be the light of the world.

The light of the world in the Gospel of Matthew

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

 15 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.

 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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Let your light shine before men

The Bible tells us that: “(...) God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5). So if we say that we are children of God, it means that as we are as He is. So, because God is Light, we are Light. What God our Father wants is that we resemble Him; that his light is reflected on us. To do so, let’s follow the advice of the Son: Jesus. He tells us: “(...) “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19). Indeed, as lights, we have privileged access to the “Father of Light” (James 1:17). We are witnesses that he is grace, that he gives peace and provides for the needs of those who call him. So when we act the same, with faith and love, we make shine our light and men give glory to God.