On Friday of this week, we read MATTHEW 5:14-19 

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“The Lord said to his disciples, ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’” 

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In John 8:12, Christ says: “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  On Mt. Sinai, when Moses descended after having spoken with God, his face shone brightly. Through his interaction with God, he was changed by the divine light and shines it forth himself! 

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When we follow Christ, when we participate in the spiritual life, we become Christlike. We, like Moses, become changed, and begin to shine forth Christ’s love into the whole world. Not always literally, as Moses did, or as we see some of the saints do, like St. Seraphim of Sarov. Rather, it is the way that we interact with one another, the way that we treat one another, that shows the light of Christ to the world. In John 13:35, Christ says: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  

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As we grow in love for Christ, we recognize more fully that other people are Icons of Christ, made in the image and likeness of God, and we grow in our love for them as well. In this way, faith and works merge into one thing, the expression of our love for God. We love God, and so we trust in Him. We love God, so we love and care for those around us. 

In recognizing this love which drives us, other people see Christ reflected through us, as we see the light of the sun reflected from the moon. They will know that this is not our own doing, and will give glory to God, the one who works through us, and for whom we are working. In this way, our love becomes the catalyst for others to find God, and begin their journey of salvation as well.