388. Twenty-fifth Monday of Ordinary Time

Meditations no. 348 (unofficial computer-aided translation)

We need the light of doctrine to do apostolate.

The afternoon was drawing to a close, and the gathering began to disperse. Our Lord had spoken at length about seeds, rocky ground, and the good soil that yields a hundredfold. As the people walked home in the deepening dusk, Jesus’ final words took on particular relevance: No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.

Our Lord’s teaching evokes the image of a householder who, when night falls, trims his lamp and places it on a stand. Outside, all is enveloped in darkness. But he can take up his lamp and go out without fear, and even provide light for pilgrims and strangers who have come to the city and are wandering through unfamiliar streets.

My son, our Father commented, you are salt, light and leaven, and must not fail to bring your light to the furthest corner of society. But for the flame of doctrine to shine forth effectively, you first need to be well-trained professionally: you need to study so as to be learned. Learned among your peers: whether you be a farm-labourer, worker, doctor or diplomat… Everyone needs doctrine.

The householder had trimmed his lamp well and filled it with good oil; thus its light reached every corner of the room. I spoke to you about your need for doctrine, sound doctrine, in order to bring truth, light, goodness, love for freedom, a living sense of responsibility, into every sector of society, and thus sow peace and joy. All of Opus Dei’s apostolates come down to this one thing: giving doctrine, light. Wherever a person of Opus Dei is present, there is a burning ember that spreads fire, light and warmth, acting in a way that is not noticed but is always fruitful.

Ours has to be the life of an apostle, bearing God’s light and salt: fearlessly, naturally, but with such ardent interior life and such spirit of Opus Dei that we shed light, and overcome the corruption and darkness around us, working calmly but effectively.

Good professional standing is the lamp stand on which we place Christ’s light.

We are called to bring Christ’s light to the people around us, not in a showy way, but with the naturalness proper to our vocation. This is our Founder’s legacy to us. I remind you with St John: Videte qualem caritatem dedit nobis Pater, ut filii Dei nominemur et simus (See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are). We call ourselves and truly are children of God, brothers and sisters therefore of the Word made flesh, of Jesus Christ, about whom it was said: In ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum; in him was life, and this life was the light of men.

Children of the light, brothers and sisters of the light, such we are: bearers of the only flame capable of lighting up the pathways of the earth for souls, the only glow never marred by darkness or shadow.

Et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt. And this light shines in the midst of darkness, and the darkness has not received it. Our Lord continues pouring forth his splendour on us men: a light that is life and the warmth of mercy, for God is charity, love. After enkindling and filling our own soul with the fire of divine light, he makes use of us as torches to illumine others, to bring life to them.

My daughters and sons, it depends on us to some extent that many souls should no longer remain in darkness, but begin walking along paths that lead to eternal life.

This responsibility is one we share with all those who are children of God. As our Father wrote: That fullness of gifts was not given to Catholics for them to enjoy it in a selfish manner: Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? Every Catholic, my daughters and sons, has an obligation, a serious obligation, to do whatever they can to enable all men and women to share in God’s word and grace, of which they are an unworthy but true bearer.

All of us Christians are called to be the light of the world. And our vocation to the Work reinforces our duty to spread the light of Christ’s salvific teaching to those around us. For this we count on a specific resource: our sanctified and sanctifying professional work, carried out with the greatest possible perfection. This is our lamp stand, from which Christ’s light should shine. Therefore our Father stressed: Pray and work with supernatural outlook and joy, be lovingly faithful to your vocation, strive to become saints: this is the foundation of all our apostolic effectiveness. Study seriously, acquire real skill at your job. Strive each day to deepen your knowledge of Christ’s teaching. Have an unshakeable hope that our Lord, who is determined to see the Work of God carried out on earth, will soon make the dreams that he himself has placed in your heart come true.

Rectitude of intention in our work.

By your contemplative life and your upright, responsible behaviour, our Father wrote, you make Christ present in every area of human endeavour: the laboratory, the factory, the office, the university, the farm, the public square. Everywhere you should bear witness to the faith you’ve received as God’s gift.

To make this ideal a reality, we need to carry out our daily work with an upright intention. God wants to make use of you, of your struggle for holiness and even of your human talents. Always remember Christ’s words: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. To Him be all glory and honour: Soli Deo honor et gloria in saecula saeculorum, to God alone do we owe honour and glory, for endless ages.

We aren’t looking for prestige or human success in our work for their own sake, but for the most effective way to serve our Lord. Therefore all of us in the Work love the specific job God’s providence has given us. And Numeraries are always ready to leave even the most spectacular and flourishing work in order to serve cheerfully in a task devoid of human glamour, if the good of the apostolate warrants it.

What is essential is an upright intention, doing everything for God. Then our humility will be perfectly compatible with striving for the highest standing in our profession. We will work well, finish tasks, dedicate the necessary time to our work, but always out of love for God, for his glory, for the good of all.

We should frequently look and see whether we are working with the right intention, and rectify whenever necessary; otherwise, all our efforts would be supernaturally barren. May all of you, young and older ones, our Father said, frequently consider your intention at work, and keep in mind the signs of a lack of upright intention: acting out of human motives, not caring for little things, neglecting family life or apostolic assignments, not using our professional work, whether prestigious or not, to carry out a deep apostolate.

Jesus worked for thirty years at an ordinary job devoid of human glamour. And during his public life, he taught us to work with supernatural outlook, not taking credit for any fruit from our efforts in God’s service. We have to imitate him. Thus our life, like his, will be one of dedication and service as was his. May your relatives, colleagues, neighbours and friends see it. Don’t do anything strange, which would be out of keeping with our path. Live like the others, but supernaturalize every moment of the day. May people see your joy in the world, and that way, our Father tells us, I’ll be proud of you.

That was how our Lady’s life was. And Mary is the person who gave God the most glory on earth and who worked with the greatest supernatural effectiveness.