The following is a reflection that Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, gave at the 2026 missioning ceremony held on June 26 in the Motherhouse Chapel.

Recently I heard an interview with Esther Salas, a New Jersey circuit judge. Her life was threatened because of a decision she made. The attacker killed her 20-year-old son instead of her. In the interview, Judge Salas said: “My son, my only child, brought light to so many people by his life. In my loss and pain, I have decided to go to the light, to be light and see light in others in my darkness and with my faith. I strive for positive change, to be light and take light to others. My first resolve was to have impeccable words and actions. I will truly think and discern what I say or do, not to hurt others. For you cannot take back your words or actions.”

Judge Salas came to embrace the message of today’s reading in Isaiah: “Arise, shine, your light has come, overcome darkness.” (Isaiah 60: 1-3)

God is calling each of us, inviting us to come and be light and overcome darkness. The light is a gift; it is Christ already present. It’s a call to be light to others. Darkness can never cover up light. Even a small flicker is visible in darkness, and the moon becomes even more visible in the darkest skies. The moon does not make its own light — it gets light from the sun and reflects only about 12% of the sunlight — but it breaks through the dark sky. Our light comes from Christ and allows us to break through darkness.

Beyond the spiritual and secular conditions of our world of division, confusion, pain, despair and hopelessness, God’s light will prevail. God’s light rises over and within us when we are open to and in relationship with God and each other.

In the New Testament, light refers to oil lamps, which were small bowls with oil and a wick. To see any light from the lamp, you had to put it on a stand, and it lit only a small portion of the room. In the Gospel, Jesus says we are light and are called to let it shine. We don’t have to work for it or even attain it. We just need to be Christ’s light to all, and we do not need to be a high beam.

How we live in intentional goodness — in simple acts of service to others, in generosity, integrity, compassion, justice, gratitude and love — is the light of Christ shining, not for personal praise but to ensure our good deeds draw others to give praise to God.

Remember, we are called to be light and to bring light to others — not our light, but the light of Christ given to us as a gift. Our role is not to manufacture goodness but to allow God’s goodness to flow through us.

Bearing light to the Gospel is a tangible sign of God’s reign. Light doesn’t fight darkness; it just shines. At times our light may seem dim or small, especially during times of doubt, fear, disengagement or failure. But Jesus doesn’t talk about the degree of brightness. He simply says: Be light. You are the light. Become the light for others.

If I enter a room, my presence has the capacity to radiate positive energy, trust, stability, gratitude, joy and concern for others. My presence and light will affect everybody in the room and will remain even after I leave. Conversely, if my presence radiates negative energy, anger, jealousy, bitterness or chaos, everyone will sense it, and it could remain after I leave. We are called to be the light of Christ, so will we always be open to accepting that invitation? Remember, it doesn’t need to be a bright light always — just some light, because any amount of light breaks the darkness.

Becky Nickerson from Creighton University wrote: “When I choose kindness over irritation, honesty over placating, courage over silence, then my light shines — not to draw attention to myself, but to reflect the one who lit it in the first place. All small acts matter. A gentle word, a patient response, a moment of generosity. These are ways my little light shines in ordinary spaces.”

Judge Salas decided to continue to be light for others in her son’s memory by establishing a food pantry in the court building where she worked. The food pantry supports individuals and families facing food insecurity who are navigating court programs in pretrial reconciliation opportunity and reentry programs. That food pantry project has now spread to other courthouses in New Jersey — a simple act of light shining for others in an ordinary space.

Remember, no amount of darkness can ever extinguish light, and hope is a series of small actions that transform darkness into light. No matter the degree of light for each of us, we need to be open to the invitation and act on it: Arise and shine. Light will overcome darkness. Let your light shine through good works in your daily life, giving praise and glory to God.

Soli Deo Gloria — glory to God alone.