By Denise Seibert Townsend
Catholic Charities
When my daughter was younger, she enjoyed when I read her a children’s book called, “This Little Light of Mine,” which introduced her to the lyrics of the well-known song of the same name:
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
“Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
I thought about this song as I reflected on our work at Catholic Charities. Our services are often the light in the darkness for the individuals we serve. This song is regularly associated with the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus tells us, “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Many people experience a figurative darkness as they are faced with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, financial challenges, loneliness and isolation. They struggle to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. Through our services at Catholic Charities, we can shine a light of hope in the midst of their trials. Our programs are designed to accompany those served by supporting them through the challenges they face, giving them the tools they need to thrive, and instilling hope and confidence.
I have repeatedly written about hope and its importance in our work at Catholic Charities. However, hope can be difficult to embrace, particularly when we are faced with challenges. Although Catholic Charities provides services to hundreds of people each month, there are others we cannot help. There are requests for emergency financial assistance beyond what we can support; we receive phone calls for services we do not offer. Yet in these instances, I believe we still provide a light of hope by being present to those we serve. We acknowledge that we may not have the resources or an immediate solution to their need, but we listen, hear their concerns, attempt to locate an answer, and walk with them in their journey. These interactions provide hope to the person seeking support, even if we cannot immediately meet their need.
In John 8:12, Jesus promises us “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Through Baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit, which is the light of Christ, and are called to share this light with the world.
As we approach the end of our Lenten journey, I encourage you to reflect on how you share your light with others. May your light be a source of hope as you show love and compassion to all, especially those most in need.
Denise Seibert Townsend is director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Evansville.