A Lenten Word - A Burning and Shining Light

Homily for Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent

A Lenten Word - A Burning and Shining Lamp

St. John’s Gospel is filled with all manner of discourses. The discourse that we listen to today is about those who witness or testify about Jesus. He begins this discourse by admitting the principle that unsupported evidence of one person cannot be taken as proof. There must be at least two witnesses. Secondly, he spells out that it is universally held that a man’s evidence about himself could not be accepted. However, there are other witnesses to Jesus.

“You sent your envoys to John, and he bore witness to the truth; but the testimony which I received is not from any man, but I say these things that you might be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp” (John 5:33-35a).

John was not the light; he was the lamp which provides the light. A lamp bears a borrowed light. It does not light itself; it is lit. John had warmth, for his was not the cold message of the intellect but the burning message of the kindled heart. John had light; he was not the light. Consequently, John was a guide who pointed out the way to repentance and to God. As is the case with any lamp, eventually it burns itself out. In giving light, it consumes itself. Thus, John was to decrease while Jesus increased. The true witness burns himself out for God.

Like John, we are meant to be a burning and shining lamp that points out the way to repentance and to God. As we continue our Lenten journey today, let us be mindful of the light that we provide through our lives of testimony to Jesus.