(Jer 20:10–13; Rom 5:12–15; Mt 10:26–33)
Praised be Jesus Christ!
We meet today as we journey through the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a time that emboldens us to live with a burning heart just as He does. As always, looking back at how we have already passed the midpoint of the year, I cannot help but acknowledge how quickly time flies.
As I reflect on the time that has passed, I consider the colors, the composition, and the essence with which we are painting the picture of our daily lives. Just as the light shifts with the changing seasons, if you were to capture your mind, your soul, your thoughts, and the world around you on a canvas, what would that image look like?
Of course, the backdrop might be filled with the greens of spring, the vibrant colors of the harvest, or the white stillness of winter—the typical scenes of those seasons. Yet, deep down, isn't it true that what we truly desire is not a scene filled with darkness, shadows, or feelings of shame and retreat, but one that is ‘bright and warm’? We wish to fill our daily lives with such peaceful and happy moments, hoping that this is the life we will look back upon one day.
I have meditated on two ways to bring that bright and warm light to our canvas.
The first way is to remove the dark colors already present. While this may brighten the overall tone, stripping away the dark can often erase the depth and delicate nuances of a painting, leaving it looking flat. The second way is to add brighter, warmer colors to the existing work. This injects vitality and energy into the canvas while preserving the depth and detail of the original. However, if the tone becomes too bright, it can sometimes feel chaotic.
Thus, it is when we use both methods in harmony that a painting becomes vivid, distinct, and etched into our memory for a long time. In truth, our lives follow this very pattern.
In Jeremiah 20:12, the prophet cries out: "You, O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause." We, too, often encounter shadows of pain and struggle, born of our human imperfection and immaturity. This is essentially because we still carry the lingering weakness of our original nature, which is prone to sin.
Yet, the Lord does not simply erase our weaknesses or scrub away the dark colors from our lives. Instead, He shines His bright light—filled with His love and mercy—upon the shadows of our souls.
As it is written in Romans 5:15: "But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many."
Even though we were created holy with the breath of God, we cannot deny the difficulties and shortcomings of being human. However, when we orient ourselves toward the light, striving to walk according to His will, everything we do is eventually proven in that ‘light,’ bearing precious fruit that leaves a lasting impression on all who remember us.
As the Lord says in Matthew 10:26: "Do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known."
Therefore, we have no reason to hesitate because of darkness or faded shadows, nor do we need to remain shackled to the past. We are, after all, precious children of God who, though we cannot fully erase our own shadows, are called to move toward the light and leave behind a deeper, warmer, and more fragrant imprint of goodness upon this world.
Did the Lord not say in Matthew 10:30–32: "Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father"?
We are blessed not because we are flawless, perfect beings without a hint of darkness, but because we are people who walk the Lord’s path with the full, three-dimensional reality of who we are. We are not lonely, for we are 'people with a human touch'—able to reach out and invite our brothers and sisters to walk with us, offering sincere tears and genuine understanding. We have the vocation to share this warmth and brightness with one another, allowing the light of God to transform the world. Amen.