“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.”

“La Luz” – a Spanish phrase for “the light.” During home visits in Chimbote, the mission teams encounter many homes that have no electricity and, therefore, can be rather dark on the inside. In an amazing testament to the strength of the human spirit in overcoming obstacles, it was inspiring to observe home health care workers provide light for a room using nothing more than a discarded two-liter soda bottle filled with water, which was hung in the center the room. Each bottle acts as the equivalent of a 60-watt light bulb by reflecting the small amount of natural daylight which does enter room. Free electricity and installing several of these makes an unbelievable difference in the home!

Dear Jesus, we are called to be light for the world. Help us to realize that in our baptismal call to be missionaries, we not only assist with temporal needs but, more importantly, are able to share the illuminatingly good news of your great and unconditional love for us.