Isaiah 6:1-8 / Matthew 10:24-33
In these present times, we cannot deny that secularism is a powerful influence across all sectors of life.
But this is often balanced off by a quiet search for the meaning of life and existence in the quest for spirituality.
It cannot be denied that modern men and women are searching for the transcendent and they want an experience of God.
Even the Church has seen a renewed need for prayer and meditation as people search deeper for God.
Indeed, we all have this longing and thirsting for God.
And people do experience God in various situations and settings - at Mass, at prayer meetings, in retreats, at holy places.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Isaiah experienced the holiness of God in a vision.
At the same time, he also became aware of his sinfulness and unworthiness, but he was healed of it.
Yet, his experience of God also propelled him to a mission, and that was to proclaim the holiness of God to the people.
So an experience of God is not just for our sake but for the purpose of a mission.
That is essentially to proclaim the presence of God to a secularized world.
As Jesus said in the gospel, it is to declare and bear witness to Him in the presence of men.
May we not be afraid to let the love of God shine in us.