Sunday Reflections

The readings today are a call to action for all of humanity.  We are told that WE are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.  WE are.  We are told to put our light on a stand, where it can shine for all to see.  Isaiah even tells us how to light our lamp, how to make it shine:

“If you remove the yoke from among you,
    the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
    and your gloom be like the noonday.”

So we are all called to action, to feed the hungry and support the afflicted.  And we are called to show the world what we are doing, and encourage them to do the same. 

That is a BIG ask.  Especially in our world today, this can be a scary call to action.

However, we are not called to do this on our own.  In fact, although today’s readings are overtly about each of us lighting our lamps and shining out for the world to see, if you dig a little deeper, nowhere do the readings tell us to do this from our own meager resources of knowledge and energy. 

Isaiah tells us, that as we look after the afflicted among us, “the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” When we call, the Lord will answer. The psalm tells us that the righteous one does not fear, because he trusts in the Lord. Paul tells the Corinthians that their faith should “not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God.”  The Gospel of Matthew says that those who see our light shining, who see our good works, should give glory to God the Father, recognizing that we can do nothing amazing without the power of God.

So we are called to action, but not alone.  We are called to lift up the lamp which God has given us, the talents and treasures we have been blessed with, and allow God to light our lamp, with a fervor of faith and a passion to care for our sisters and brothers in affliction.  And when that lamp is lit, we are called to set it on a stool, that it may inspire and guide others to also lift up their lamps, so God can set them ablaze.  May our actions, powered by our ever-loving God, warm and protect all those in affliction.