There was a blind man who walked through the streets every night carrying a lamp in his hand. One evening, someone saw him and wondered, “Why does a blind man carry a lamp? Even if he cannot see its light.” As the blind man was walking, another person, coming from the opposite direction, accidentally bumped into him. Angrily, the man said, “Why are you carrying a lamp? You are blind. The light is useless to you!” The blind man gently replied, “My friend, I know that I cannot see the light. But I carry this lamp so that others can see me and I will not become an obstacle to them.”  

Dear friends, sometimes we carry the light not because we need it, but because someone else needs it. There are people around us who are walking through darkness, the darkness caused by loneliness, fear, abuse, violence, rejection, addiction, grief or hopelessness.  That is what it means to “Shine on the World Like Bright Stars.” We may not be able to remove all the darkness in the world. We may not be able to solve every problem. But Jesus tells us: “Let your light shine before others.”

When we speak up against domestic violence, we become the bright stars. When we listen to someone who is suffering, we become the bright stars. When we stand beside a person who is frightened and say, “You are not alone,” we become the bright stars. When we choose kindness instead of anger, forgiveness instead of revenge, respect instead of control, and love instead of violence, we will shine on the world like bright stars.

And sometimes we may wonder, “Is my little light really making a difference?” Remember the blind man. He could not see his own light—but someone else needed it. 

Perhaps we cannot see the difference our kindness is making. Perhaps we cannot see the person we are encouraging. Perhaps we will never know whose life was changed because we chose to speak, listen, forgive, protect or love. But keep carrying the lamp. Keep shining. Because somewhere, someone is walking through darkness—and our light may be the very light they need to find their way home.

So today, let us make this our prayer and our mission: Shine on the world like bright stars. Shine in our homes. Shine in our families. Shine in our relationships. Shine wherever there is fear, pain, darkness and violence.

May the light of Christ shine through our lives, so that no one around us needs to walk alone in the darkness. “Shine on the World Like Bright Stars.” Not because our light is perfect, but because even the smallest light can defeat the darkness.

Let our homes be places where no one is afraid. Let our relationships be places where no one is controlled or humiliated. Let our words heal rather than wound. And let the light of Christ shine through us.

We may not realise how much light we carry. We may not see the difference we are making. But keep carrying the lamp. Keep shining. Because someone walking in darkness may be looking for our light. So, Shine on the World Like Bright Stars”.