Soon, governments are going to be mandating the use of those compact fluorescent light bulbs - you know, the ones that look like corkscrews. I don't know how I feel about that, but I do know that they are more energy efficient than the traditional incandescent light bulbs that we have been using for centuries. Do you know why they are more efficient? Incandescent bulbs spent about 70% of their energy producing heat, not light. In other words, almost three-quarters of their energy goes towards producing a result that is not its intended purpose. CFLs, on the other hand, use the majority of their energy to produce light - which is exactly what they are made to do. Therefore, the energy required for a CFL to produce as much light as an incandescent bulb is much less, thus leading to significant energy savings.
As we enter the season of Lent, I would propose that we can take a lesson from this battle of the bulbs. Jesus tells us that we "are the light of the world," and to "let our light shine." In other words, as Christians, we are created to shine brightly. Sometimes we do, often we don't. Many times, we spend our energy producing outcomes that have very little to do with the purpose for which we were created. We spend lots of energy producing "heat" and very little "light."
What can lead us to this? Usually it is an excess of those things that we do not need: vices like laziness, pride, overconsumption, consumerism, Internet, et cetera. These are the very things that our observance of Lent should help us eliminate from our lives. When we can release ourselves (or be released) from vices and focus on the virtues, then we begin to shine even brighter. Our light brightens and is a true reflection of the Light of Christ. Here, in the ashy darkness of the beginning of Lent, let this be our guiding light. God provides our energy; we are called to return it by being a light to the world. There is enough heat - leave that out.
As we enter the season of Lent, I would propose that we can take a lesson from this battle of the bulbs. Jesus tells us that we "are the light of the world," and to "let our light shine." In other words, as Christians, we are created to shine brightly. Sometimes we do, often we don't. Many times, we spend our energy producing outcomes that have very little to do with the purpose for which we were created. We spend lots of energy producing "heat" and very little "light."
What can lead us to this? Usually it is an excess of those things that we do not need: vices like laziness, pride, overconsumption, consumerism, Internet, et cetera. These are the very things that our observance of Lent should help us eliminate from our lives. When we can release ourselves (or be released) from vices and focus on the virtues, then we begin to shine even brighter. Our light brightens and is a true reflection of the Light of Christ. Here, in the ashy darkness of the beginning of Lent, let this be our guiding light. God provides our energy; we are called to return it by being a light to the world. There is enough heat - leave that out.
It was a bright idea whose time has come.
2 comments:
I like the analogy. But what about that they supposedly contain mercury and that people (knowing people) will not dispose of the properly. Twenty years from now we will have lawsuits against these lightbulb companies for mercury poisoning.
Fr. Larry,
Having never met you, I can only surmise by your title (Father) that you have been called by God to be a priest, and have faithfully responded to that call. As part of your purpose in becoming a priest, I can surmise that you have given a sermon or two, "letting your light shine" by teaching the Word of God.
When someone teaches the Word of God, there is a risk that someone may misinterpret what has been said and use it according to their own misinterpretation (one example that comes to mind is Paul's teaching about submission).
Just like a consumer who does not treat a corkscrew bulb properly after its use, the hearer of the Word has misused the teaching according to his own interpretation of what ought to be done.
The possibility of that happening should not prevent the teaching of God's word; it ought to stress the importance of educating those being taught the proper intent of the passage in the context of Scripture as a whole. (in other words, making sure your parishoners know the dangers of taking a single verse or passage out of context).
As it relates to the bulbs, manufacturers have the responsibility to inform the public of proper use of what is given to them. In their situation, I wonder if their liablity for improperly disposed of bulbs will be covered by simply giving disposal instructions on the packaging, similar to the "hot stuff" labeling on McDonald's coffee mugs? But I think that may be getting away from the point of Fr. Austin's original post....
Post a Comment