February 20

Matthew 5.13-16

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

In our travels, it is a reminder of how well lights work at night.  From far off we begin to see the glow of the city on the horizon.  As we approach, the lights get brighter.  And a large city is easy to see from far off as the taller buildings come over the horizon so much quicker.  We approach cities and can see where they are.  And most times we can find our way in, if we see the exits off the highway.

Jesus likens us to lights that shine out in the darkness.  We cannot hide light in the midst of darkness.  It shines through and overcomes that darkness.  If we are the light, then those in darkness approaching us will see that light.  Not needing to turn the lights into their eyes, but by living as the light we are, the world sees that the light is here.  We just have to let it shine and people will see.

The statement about hiding light is made to look silly when put it in children’s songs.  But for people living in places of conflict, this is understood.  We hide lights, even put them out, so that enemies will not see our places in the night.  It is done out of fear.  Fear that the enemy will come and over power us, even destroy us.  Lights are put out so we are harder to find.  But that defeats the purpose of light.

Our light is to be put our boldly.  Not with a fear of being found out.  But to help others to see where we are.  Not fearing anyone finding us, because they might destroy us.  Helping others to find us so that they can have safety.  It is not that we need to be kept safe from the darkness.  It is that we see that the light overcomes darkness.  We let our light shine so that all can see where God is at work in us, and in them.  We shine brightly.

Song – Bring For the Kingdom

Prayer

Almighty God,

be gracious to us and bless us

and make your face to shine upon us,

that your way may be known upon earth,

your saving power among all nations.

Empower all the peoples to praise you, O God,

that the nations may be glad and sing for joy.

For you judge the peoples with equity

and guide the nations upon earth.

Enable all the peoples to praise you, O God,

for the earth has yielded its increase

and you, our God, have blessed us.

We ask that you will continue to bless us

so that all the ends of the earth will revere you.  Amen.

—based on Psalm 67, NRSV