Our faith is not to be hidden — he is the light

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
A reflection on the daily readings by Father Perry.
+ Light. Seeing. Hearing. Understanding. Living. There are many of the words that capture what it is and what it means to become true people of faith; that is, to have and live a faith that is transforming and gives life to one’s self, and gives life to others through one’s self.
And so we appreciate in Hebrews “recognizing and confessing” that we have a High Priest in Jesus the Christ.
That is important because it is “through his flesh” that we have been saved; through him, we have been “washed” and made worthy, and now can “rouse one another” to love and good works.
+ So let us take the light we have received (as if an inner lamp) and put it on a lamp stand to “give light to all.”
Our faith is not to be hidden, but to reveal to others what and in whom we believe — because he is the light!
“Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the church.

St. Thomas Aquinas did just that. He had ears. He listened. He heard. He was transformed.
He thought. He wrote.
He taught. He put his light on a lamp stand, and others, through him, came to live their faith to the fullest.
And so it continues today to this very moment in us all.
It is the very living of the responsorial psalm verse we utter today: “Lord, this is the people that long to see your face.”
Yes! We are the people that seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
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