Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (June 13, 2017) Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Ps 119:129-133, 135
Matthew 5:13-16
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061317.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/17_06_13.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Although Jesus was the most humble person who ever lived, he never hid himself. Yet we think that being humble means hiding ourselves so that we don’t draw attention to ourselves. And thus we miss opportunities to evangelize.

Jesus says in today’s Gospel that we must not hide our light under a basket. In our baptisms, we received the light of Christ. In our personal decisions to follow him, we fanned the flames of this light. Why hide it? We are Christ for the world! We are his hands and feet and voice. Why aren’t we making his presence within us more visible? There are certainly many who could benefit from this! Faith should not be only a private experience.

People often ask, “If God is real, why does he allow bad things to happen? Why does he allow evil to exist?” The answer is: because we allow evil to exist. All of us who are Christians are his Body here on earth. We’re living in the light that destroys evil, but frankly, we’re not doing enough with what we’ve been given.

Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion flying across the Internet about Muslims taking over Europe and America and other Christian countries. It’s generating a lot of alarm. But why? It’s only another reason to stop hiding our light.

First, we need to stop reacting from fear. A true Muslim often behaves more Christ-like than some Christians do. We can learn from them! With a humble, faith-filled attitude, we can make ourselves available to them in a way that invites them to learn from our faith in Christ. Christ is calling us to love them as he loves them and be good witnesses of who he really is. Be not afraid! Instead, be excited about new opportunities to evangelize.

It’s a sin to keep Jesus bottled up and locked away. He wants to speak out, but we don’t want to feel embarrassed or criticized, so we zip shut his lips. He wants to love the unlovable through us, but we prefer to stay angry at them. He wants to conquer evil by spreading his light of truth everywhere, but we hide under a basket.

In other words, we hold Jesus captive inside our selfishness.

That’s quite an empty feeling. As much as we have the fullness of Jesus within us, if we’re not giving it to others, we feel empty, which makes us feel lonely even when we’re not alone. It’s like a faucet. Wrap your hand around your kitchen faucet. When the tap is closed, the pipes are full of water, but you can’t feel it. Let the water flow and now you feel its power. In the same way, we can only feel the fullness of God’s love and power within us when we let it flow out to others.

In today’s first reading, we’re shown the importance of our yes meaning yes. Are we really committed to Jesus? Do we really want to follow him everywhere? If yes, then we don’t say no to any opportunities that would let him change the world through us.

Lord Jesus: Preserve in me the flavor of good deeds and the light of faith You gave me. And, though winds may blow strong, may I always be a sign of Your presence everywhere at any time. Amen.