Homily: Living in the Light of Christ
February 8, 2026
The Gospel writer John tells us in the Christmas Gospel that Jesus came into the world as the Light of the world.
But in today’s Gospel, Jesus says something striking:
“You are the light of the world.”
So which is it?
Is Jesus the Light of the world, or are we the light of the world?
The answer, of course, is both.
Jesus is the divine Light — the heavenly Light who has come into the world. And through Baptism, He shares that Light with us: the light of grace, the light of truth, and the light of love. That is a powerful and precious gift, and Jesus tells us that it is not meant to be kept to ourselves. We are called to share it with the world.
Those of you who are Confirmation candidates will soon receive seven special gifts of the Holy Spirit when you are confirmed by Bishop Senior: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts are given to help you share the Light of Christ with the world for the rest of your lives.
This calling is more than a metaphor. It’s more than a phrase that simply sounds nice. While our hymns express it beautifully, sharing the Light of Christ is a real and essential part of our lives. It means living our vocation of holiness — our call to become saints.
When we read the lives of the saints — especially the saints you have chosen, or will choose, as your Confirmation names — we see how differently each one shared the Light of Christ. Some were great theological minds. Others had enormous compassion and devoted themselves to caring for the sick. Some, like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founded religious communities right down the road in Emmitsburg.
Each saint shared Christ’s Light in a unique and beautiful way — and so are we called to do the same.
With Lent just days away, this is a good moment to practice what St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged: an examination of conscience. We should reflect honestly on how well we are sharing the Light of Christ in our own lives.
Jesus tells us not to place the light under a basket. It is too powerful and too precious. What we share is the Light of Christ’s truth and His law — and our world desperately needs that light, especially in times marked by darkness, sin, fear, and hatred.
So we are called to be safe beacons of light in the world.
This examination begins with the very start of our day. When we wake up, what is our first thought?
Do we pray, “Lord, help me. Guard me and guide me by Your light” before even getting out of bed?
When we turn on the news or scroll through our screens, do we filter what we see through the Light of our faith?
When we go to work, are our business ethics guided by His Light?
When we go to school, do we test what we are learning by the Light of faith?
What about our relationships?
Our social lives?
Our political views?
Do we discern who and what belongs in our lives through the Light of Christ?
And when we face illness, suffering, or hardship, do we view those moments through His Light — trusting Him even then?
At its core, the question is simple and profound:
Am I living my life immersed in His Light?
That is what faith truly is. It is more than an idea or an analogy — it is a way of life. Living in Christ’s Light does not always make life easier, but it does make life better. It brings clarity — moral clarity and spiritual truth.
The Church has a name for this stage of spiritual growth: the illuminative stage of the spiritual life — when our lives are immersed in, guided by, and illuminated by the Light of Christ.
That is a great gift.
Very soon, our Confirmation candidates will receive the grace to live more fully as bearers of that Light in the world. And for all of us today, as we hear these powerful words and receive the grace of the sacraments, let us pray that we may truly live what Jesus teaches us.
As He says in the Gospel:
May His light shine before all,
so that they may see our good works
and give glory to the Father.
Amen.
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