by Sr. Sheila Campbell, MMM                            Ireland                   25.02.2026

Recently I heard a Redemptorist priest in Clonard Monastery, Belfast, talk about that line in the Gospel where Jesus tells us to “let our light shine” (Mt. 5:16) He was making the point that it is easy for us to consider ourselves as sinners. After all, hasn’t that idea been drummed into us since we were small!! It is much harder for us to think of ourselves in a positive light, as having something good to contribute to the world.

As usual, when I hear something that strikes me, I go away and mull over it for a day or two. Well, yes, but thinking that you have something positive to give to the world, can that not lead to self-importance and puffing ourselves up? God help us, but we have enough ego maniacs in the world at the moment without encouraging more.

But I think I begin to glance at another way of looking at this.  What if we consider ourselves both as sinners and light?  That does not get us off the hook from taking decisions every day to befriend others, to reach out, to comfort those who are grieving, to do charitable acts.

Perhaps this Lent I am being called to be positive in my approach to others rather than constantly beating my breast for the times when I am not as good as I want to be.

“Let your light shine before all, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Mt. 5:16