Episode 2684: Walking in the Light of Christ - Morning Episode

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Today, we’re focusing on love as the heart of true discipleship and exploring how Christ’s example provides a clear, unwavering light for us in a world that often feels dark and uncertain. With insights from St. Arnold Janssen and Thomas á Kempis, along with the beautiful promise from Psalm 27, let’s reflect on how we can live a life rooted in love, imitating Christ’s virtues, and finding shelter in His strength.
1. Love as the Core of Every Action:
St. Arnold Janssen beautifully captures the essence of Christian life in a single line:
“Since love completes all, makes all hard things soft, and the difficult easy, let us strive to make all our acts proceed from love.”
Love is the source of all virtue, and it is what transforms even the hardest sacrifices into something that feels light. St. Arnold reminds us that true love for God and for others has the power to soften our hearts, making what once seemed impossible a joyful offering. It’s not merely about doing good deeds; it’s about performing every action from a place of love, even those that seem mundane or challenging.
When we place love at the core of our thoughts and actions, we invite Christ into every part of our lives. As St. Paul teaches in his letter to the Corinthians, “If I have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). To live without love is to live without meaning. But when our lives are rooted in love, they become an offering that unites us to God and reflects His divine nature.
2. Walking in Christ’s Light:
Thomas á Kempis, in The Imitation of Christ, gives us invaluable counsel on the importance of following Christ’s example:
"No one who follows Me will ever walk in darkness (Jn 8:12). These words of our Lord counsel all to walk in His footsteps. If you want to see clearly and avoid blindness of heart, it is His virtues you must imitate. Make it your aim to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ. Christ's teachings surpasses that of all the Saints. But to find this spiritual nourishment you must seek to have the Spirit of Christ. It is because we lack this Spirit that so often we listen to the Gospel without really hearing it. Those who fully understand Christ's words must labor to make their lives conform to His." —Thomas á Kempis
The wisdom here is profound: following Christ is not merely about knowledge or intention but about action living out His virtues. We are reminded to keep our focus on Christ as our model and teacher. While we look to the saints for inspiration, Christ’s teachings and example remain the ultimate guide.
But how can we follow Christ in this way? Thomas á Kempis suggests that we meditate on His life, study His words, and let His Spirit enter our hearts. This requires humility and the willingness to change, to allow Christ’s virtues to reshape our own flawed tendencies. When we make our lives conform to His teachings, we find the light that allows us to walk confidently through any darkness.
In today’s world, it’s easy to get distracted by fleeting pleasures or the opinions of others. But true clarity comes from focusing on Christ. He offers a path that leads us out of confusion and into His peace, but we must actively seek to understand and embody His Spirit.

3. Finding Shelter and Strength in God:
As we walk this path, we are not alone. Psalm 27 reassures us of God’s protection and strength:
"For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord." — Psalm 27:5-6
This promise reminds us that no matter the struggles we face, God is our ultimate refuge. Our journey as Christians may bring challenges and sacrifices, but in those moments, God’s presence becomes our safe haven. When we lift our voices in prayer and song, offering ourselves to Him, we experience the joy and strength that come from being close to God.
In the shelter of His love, we can overcome fear and discouragement. Psalm 27 speaks not only to God’s protection but also to His delight in our praise. As we journey through life with its inevitable crosses, God invites us to lean on Him. Through prayer, we are lifted above our difficulties, gaining strength from the knowledge that He is always with us, always ready to support us.
Conclusion Prayer:
Let us end with a prayer, asking God to fill our hearts with His love and to guide us to live each day in the light of Christ’s example.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your boundless love and for the example of Your Son, who walked among us and showed us the way of perfect love. Grant us the grace to make love the foundation of all that we do, so that our lives may be a reflection of Your goodness and mercy.
Lord Jesus, we desire to follow You, to walk in Your light, and to imitate Your virtues. Help us to meditate on Your life and to embrace the Spirit that You have given us. Let us walk in faith and humility, with hearts open to Your guidance, so that we may never walk in darkness but always in Your light.
Holy Spirit, be our strength and our comfort. In times of trouble, be our refuge and lift us high upon the rock of faith. May we always find shelter in You, singing Your praises with hearts filled with joy and gratitude.
We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.