The Light of the WorldFebruary 16, 2026

The Gospel readings recently speak of the light of the world. Jesus surprises us by saying we are the light of the world. We knew he was, but he shared a very important truth- we are the light, too. And so is every person we meet.

This has always been the truth but as Jeremiah 5:21 laments, “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see.

I think we have to look for opportunities or recognize when one is sent to be thrown to the ground as Paul was, struck blind and then later the false story of being separate from God and each other falls from our eyes like scales fell off Paul’s eye.

We have been ingrained with the belief that we are not worthy so we don’t really want to listen to Jesus’ words that we are the light. We are Love.” The message is always for someone else like Mother Theresa, Pope Francis or Angela Merici. We have believed the lie so thoroughly that we cannot see.

So I am proposing that we take the adage of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) to “fake it until you make it.” Act and talk like you really believe that you are the Light and that you are Love.

This reminds me of a Greek morality play that I heard a while ago. The Greeks used real masks to convey their feelings. So in the play there was a man who was grumpy and whose face reflected that grumpiness. Consequently people did not enjoy engaging him in conversation. Soon people just avoided him. Then the man had an idea. I will trick these people and put on a smiling mask, which he did. In a very short time people began speaking to him and smiling in reaction to his smile. The man wore the mask a long time and enjoyed tricking people so well. One day he decided to take off the mask. To his surprise his face looked like the mask. A smiling happy face.

Truly believe that you are the Light and the Love. Be like the man in the Greek play. Convincingly walk and talk wearing this belief on your metaphorical sleeve and see what happens.

Sister Mary Eileen Boyle