Letting faith become visible through acts of mercy stressed by Diocese of Witchita
Many people are familiar with the fear of darkness, but within Christian tradition, light is a recurring theme in Sacred Scripture. Passages from Isaiah, Psalms, and the Gospel of Matthew highlight the significance of light as something received and reflected rather than self-produced.
Isaiah writes, “Your light shall break forth like the dawn.” (Is 58:8). The Psalms state, “The just person is a light in darkness.” (Ps 112:4). Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Mt 5:14).
The message emphasizes that stewardship involves living out faith by embodying mercy and trust publicly. According to Isaiah 58:7, 9-10, this includes actions such as sharing food with the hungry, sheltering those without homes, clothing those in need, removing oppression and false accusations, satisfying the afflicted, and supporting one’s community. These acts are known as the Corporal Works of Mercy.
“These actions are the light that makes faith visible. They are not optional add-ons to Christian living. They are the outward expression of a disciple who has been converted by faith in the Lord.”
Isaiah continues with a promise tied to action: “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn.” This suggests that mercy must be embodied for spiritual light to become visible.
Psalm 112 describes a just person as gracious and steadfast because their trust is rooted in God rather than material abundance or fear. This allows them to give generously—not only financially but also through time and presence.
“This brings us to the Spiritual Works of Mercy: to instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; comfort the afflicted; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offenses willingly; admonish the sinner; and pray for the living and the dead.”
These works address spiritual needs that often go unseen or unaddressed except through personal relationships.
“You cannot comfort the afflicted from a distance,” it says. “You cannot counsel the doubtful without listening. You cannot bear wrongs patiently unless you are willing to be inconvenienced.”
Isolation and loneliness are recognized as significant sources of pain today.
Jesus’ words reinforce this call to action: “You are the light of the world.” (Mt 5:14) He further instructs that good deeds should serve not self-interest but divine glory: “That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:16)
“When a parish feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless, comforts the grieving, forgives patiently, prays faithfully, and walks with people in their doubt, that parish becomes a lamp on a stand. It truly becomes a stewardship parish.”
The Diocese of Witchita carries out charitable work through Catholic Charities (official website). It oversees 90 parishes and missions along with 37 schools across 25 counties in south-central and southeast Kansas (official website). The diocese focuses on forming disciples through faith-based initiatives including ministries for marriage and family life, youth programs, social justice efforts, and fostering vocations (official website).
“When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. Now, as adults in faith, we cannot allow ourselves to be afraid to be the light.”
Let your light shine.
