In the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, the retreatant is informed that one is created to praise, reverence, and serve God, and through this, to attain salvation. Everything else in creation exists to help humans achieve this ultimate goal.

This life-mission is reflected in the Gospel reading today wherein Jesus uses a practical example of not hiding a lighted lamp but putting it instead where it belongs, that is, on the lamp-stand. He thereby highlights the lamp has attained its "life-mission-purpose" of giving light. In this regard, humans praise, reverence, and serve God by listening intently to the Word of God, praying over it and then acting on it. In this way, one ensures that one does not lead a secret, double- life of self-deception, but the life that God intends for him/ her and the freedom that follows.

Let me consider the present state of my life. Am I aware that my life-mission is oriented towards God and the service of God's people? Am I living a life that admits the light of Christ, or am I dwelling in the darkness of sin and shame? Do I allow the light of Christ to shine in and through me for the world to see, or am I trying to hide it? Can I take this moment to listen to the Spirit of God calling me to repentance, healing and freedom?