God is at work, even during dark times. In approximately 597 BC, Jerusalem was besieged and the Jewish people were taken as exiles to Babylon-a tragic period in Jewish history. About 70 years later, however, the Persians overthrew the Babylonian Empire. The Persian King Cyrus then allowed the Jewish people to return home and rebuild the Temple. God worked through a Persian king to create a turning point in Jewish history and the restoration of their covenantal identity and faith.

Interestingly, it is recorded that many exiles decided to stay in Babylon, in such given a choice, they preferred not to return to Jerusalem. Only a minority returned to Jerusalem to begin the hard work of rebuilding the Temple and city. In either case, the minority would have had courage and deep faith that God could work through them.

Here Jesus proclaims, "No one lights a lamp and hides it" (Lk 8:16). Followers of Jesus have been given a gift-His good news. This light is meant to be shared.

There is a tension here, we cannot force people to believe. Proselytism is not our style. At the same time, Jesus does not want us to be afraid. We are fragile, but God can work powerfully through us. In our words and actions, we are to courageously share the labouring love of Christ with others.