I was in Kindergarten, and my favorite day of the week had arrived: Sunday. Not only would there be donuts and orange juice after Mass, but I'd also get to see my friends at Sunday school. And my favorite part of Sunday school? Singing "This little light of mine" with my Sunday school teacher and friends. Even as a Kindergartner, I knew there was something really special about the way God had created me. I wanted to share it with everyone.

That light we sang about—it was almost tangible back then and came so easily.

And then life goes on, doesn't it? "This little light of mine" becomes a jingle we brush aside with a smirk when we hear it. We grow older, and life happens. We slip away from Him as our anchor and lose sight of who He made us to be altogether.

In middle school, I was too tall. In high school, I was a nerd. In college, I was unknown. In law school, I didn't fit. Yet in His eyes, still, I was a light. And so are you.

As adults, it's easy to read the Gospel for today (Matthew 5:13-16) and think to ourselves: Who am I to show up? Who am I to share my gifts? Will others think I'm boastful or prideful?

We usually doubt or question our own light before we realize that the light—our light—first exists because His face has first shone on our own. May the Holy Spirit guide you to embrace the light He's placed in you and allow it to shine before others! And when you shine with the intention to glorify Him in all things, watch those around you remember their own light in Him, too.

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