Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’

Known for being an advocate for peace and a Doctor of the Church, St Catherine of Siena intentionally saw Christ in everyone, especially the marginalised. So much so, St Catherine felt that she was serving someone in need while serving Christ at the same time. All that she did, she did for Christ, using the gifts she had been given to enact real change in the world. In fact, one of her most famous quotes reads: “Be who God created you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

It is only fitting therefore that her feast day aligns with today’s Gospel. Her belief in Christ was so strong and so authentic, that His light illuminated her world and that of all those around her. This is the epitome of what it means when Jesus says that those who believe in Him would not remain in darkness. For, there are times when we struggle with a lack of belief and try to make our own way in life, stumbling through the darkness.

But Christ’s light – the light of God – guides, heals, empowers, strengthens, comforts and inspires us. So, when we believe in Him with all that we are, His light radiates through all that we do, not only overcoming our personal darkness of doubt, but setting the world on fire.

How might you draw on the light of Christ this week to not only illuminate your life but to set the world on fire?