Look around at any family gathering and you will no doubt
see children acting like their parents. Parents often look at their children
with pride as they “see themselves” in their children because children often reflect
their parents. In fact each of us reflects what is most important in our
hearts. Like the rich man in the Gospel (Luke 18.18-27) our heart can also be
cold and greedy and turned away from the love of God. A quick look at news
coverage during the Thanksgiving Holiday, and we can see the priorities of many
in our society. Shopping malls are filled with angry and sometimes violent
shoppers grabbing for that discounted product, while their brothers and sisters
are living in the streets with nothing to eat. The world can be a dark and
lonely place, and for those lost in the darkness, just a glimpse of light can
bring hope for a better tomorrow. As Saint Paul said, “For you were once
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
(Ephesians 5.8) As Orthodox Christians we have an opportunity to reflect the
Light of Christ for those lost in the darkness, and bring hope that there is
Way out of the darkness. We have an opportunity to reflect the Light of Christ
so others will see the Light and follow the Light to the Church. If we indeed
are children of light, then we should reflect our Father’s Light.
see children acting like their parents. Parents often look at their children
with pride as they “see themselves” in their children because children often reflect
their parents. In fact each of us reflects what is most important in our
hearts. Like the rich man in the Gospel (Luke 18.18-27) our heart can also be
cold and greedy and turned away from the love of God. A quick look at news
coverage during the Thanksgiving Holiday, and we can see the priorities of many
in our society. Shopping malls are filled with angry and sometimes violent
shoppers grabbing for that discounted product, while their brothers and sisters
are living in the streets with nothing to eat. The world can be a dark and
lonely place, and for those lost in the darkness, just a glimpse of light can
bring hope for a better tomorrow. As Saint Paul said, “For you were once
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
(Ephesians 5.8) As Orthodox Christians we have an opportunity to reflect the
Light of Christ for those lost in the darkness, and bring hope that there is
Way out of the darkness. We have an opportunity to reflect the Light of Christ
so others will see the Light and follow the Light to the Church. If we indeed
are children of light, then we should reflect our Father’s Light.
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