“Nurturing our faith, and allowing the Flame of Christ to shine through the darkest nights, and thus touching countless lives!”

(Based on Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 and Lk 12:35-38 – Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Chiara Badano was sixteen when she fell seriously ill.

The doctors said her time was short.
Pain became part of her daily life.
Yet, she smiled.
She prayed.
She offered her suffering for others.

Friends and family were stunned.

How could a young girl face death with such calm and joy?

She often said: “If I suffer, I want to suffer for Jesus.”

Even in her weakest moments, her faith shone bright.
Her light never dimmed.

She became a living reminder: the Light of Christ shines strongest when the night is darkest.

Today, Chiara is recognized as…
… Blessed Chiara Badano, beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.
(Her Feast Day is on Oct 29)

Her life continues to inspire young and old alike, showing that even in suffering, our faith can illuminate the world.

Blessed Chiara’s story reminds us that each of us has received the Light of Christ. >> But life has winds that threaten to blow it out…
… trials, distractions, selfishness, and false beliefs – these can dim our flame.

The Gospel today calls us to keep our lamps lit, stay vigilant, and nurture the light entrusted to us.

At our Baptism, we were given the Light of Christ.

This light is not just for keeping…
… it is meant to shine, grow, and reach others.
Yet, life is full of winds that threaten to extinguish it.

1. The wind of losing focus on God Our attention can drift from God to worries, desires, or distractions.

When this happens, our light dims.

Faith needs focus.

Prayer, reflection, and turning back to God rekindle the flame.
Even small efforts of getting back our attention to God, restores our light.

2. The wind of self-centeredness When we live only for ourselves, our priorities shift from love and service to comfort, pride, or greed.

Generosity, humility, and selfless love fan the flame, allowing the light of Christ to shine through our actions.

We need to keep checking: Is the Lord the centre of my life?

Are the thoughts in my mind, in line, with the love of Christ?
Are all my actions oriented for the glory of God?

3. The wind of false beliefs and ideologies The world offers many alluring paths that pull us away from truth…
   … materialism, pride, or shallow philosophies.
   These winds can mislead and dim our light.

Rooting ourselves in the daily deepening of God’s Word and the Church’s teaching, protects the flame and keeps it true.

it is true, that we cannot stop these, and many other winds from blowing.

But we can choose not to let them extinguish the Light of Christ in us.

Strength comes from:

Daily prayer and personal conversation with God>> Frequent reception of the Sacraments>> Immersion in the Word of God>> Faithfulness in our daily duties and vocation
And in our moments of weakness, we are invited to humbly approach our Blessed Lord, and say: “Lord, my light is flickering.
Can you reignite it in me?”

Blessed Chiara’s life reminds us: even the smallest flame, when nurtured by faith…
… can shine through the darkest nights
… touching countless lives.

“Lord… Give me oil in my lamp….
… keep me burning, burning, burning!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery

Jesus said to his disciples: “Love one another even as I have loved you.”
You shall not commit adultery.
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.”

But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (CCC # 2331)