Ok, so we are studying Images of the Church in 8th grade Religion class. And one of the Images is Light of the World. You know - how the Church shines in the darkness of the world. We have studied the Scripture associated with this, Matthew 5: 14-16,

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

The Church is the light on the hill when we as Catholics do good deeds such as volunteering at a homeless shelter or food kitchen; or show friendliness towards our cranky neighbor; or even at school, sitting with someone who is lonely at lunch time. These are practical ways that students are able to understand the difference that their actions can make. They never have to even say anything to indicate that they are trying to be a better Christian example, they just exude that when they behave in these loving ways.

But something happened at school not long ago which illustrated how we never know that our actions may be seen by another - even when we don't know a person is seeing us and what we do. It was too hot outside to go out for recess, but we were walking through the recess area from the lunch room to the classrooms. I was coming around the corner with my class when I saw an 8th grade boy jump into a tree, and swing. He wasn't up there very long, but students around him must have said something to him because he jumped down pretty quickly. He didn't see me see him, but his actions made an impact on me. First I thought, "Hey, you know better!" But then I also thought, "Isn't that just like a boy to jump up into a tree? And since we are going inside for recess, I guess this action-packed boy needed a minute to swing!" I said nothing.

Later on that same day, I had his class for Religion and we were talking about Light of the World. I told the class that by being a light we never know who is transformed by our actions. Then I said, "... for example, if we were coming in to the school and someone were to jump into a tree and swing for a minute, that would make an impact. We may not even know that they saw us, but the viewer was transformed." Everyone started laughing and his face fell since he thought no teacher had seen him. I assured him that he was not in trouble. How could such a wonderful 'teaching moment' about Light of the World make me chastise him for his harmless action? But the other kids GOT IT! They knew what it meant to have their actions (light) viewed by others (those in the darkness) and the viewer was transformed (in this case, I will tell this story over and over!)

This is how transformation happens; when we are simply doing what we do and are unaware that we have done something out of the ordinary, special or renewing, that is when God uses our actions to show His great love for us. I hope that you will have a Light in the World experience, and that you, too will be transformed just like my 8th grade class and I have been!

Peace,
Beth