The Light

 Our family really doesn’t keep up with the latest news. Unfortunately, it’s not on our radar, although maybe we should

just check in once in a while to see what is going on in the US. Even though our time away was less than a year, we were a little shocked with the big changes in culture and attitude when we returned for a few weeks. Can I be honest in saying that some of the things we learned were discouraging? I don’t think this is surprising. It seems as though most people we encountered felt discouraged as well. We even heard a few talk about the world seemingly ending as we speak. Jesus says a little something about this:

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Matthew 24:6 

It goes on to say, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24: 10-13

This was brought to prayer, and the response was super encouraging! Immediately after laments and complaints were made, thoughts of people responding in faith whom we encountered the last few weeks came to mind: Like the doctor who currently prays with patients before surgery. The restaurant owner who feeds the homeless around the restaurant (and their dogs)! People starting prayer and Bible study groups, and people from those groups having the courage to start their own! Those who teach catechism and those who give some time to be an extraordinary minister of the Blessed Sacrament. Those who just stop by the church to pray for their marriage and family. Those who care for their elderly family and friends. Those who are moved to donate clothes and shoes and even tooth brushes to people they will most likely never encounter. Those who work to build companies with Christianity at the core, and those who courageously speak truth in situations where they can loose their jobs- at the very least. Those who humbly pray a decade of the Rosary instead of eating a sweet that was offered to them. Of course there are also those who open their homes and spoil anyone who drops by (missionary families included). ☺️ The list goes on!

As flashes of these beautiful people came to mind, so did the words, “Be the light.” St. Francis of Assisi once said. “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

Agreed! It may not seem much, but “lights” are shining all around us, and they are noticeable and inspiring! At a time when many seem to have lost all faith in humanity’s goodness, God is still planting and cultivating seeds.

Remember the Gospel reading a month ago about the weeds and the wheat (Matthew 13: 24-30)? The landowner didn’t want the workers to pull the weeds just yet because he’s giving time to allow the wheat to grow and spread. It may not seem much, but those who grow wheat know the dramatic affect it has in it’s surroundings. (Fun fact: Did you know one pound of wheat seed can produce 1.5 bushels of grain, equal to about 90 pounds of grain? * Amazing, right?) Those who say “yes” to the Holy Spirit in their daily tasks have a much larger influence than one may ever realize. So, take courage and continue to be a “light” in your “field of wheat.”

God bless y’all and thank you for your prayers, support, and love!

Chris, Angie, CJ, Jonathan, and Job