Daily Thoughts: In Matthew Jesus uses the wonderful example of salt and light in asking the disciples, in asking us to reflect on our lives. I have often preached on this Gospel using the image not of the Sermon on the Mount but of Jesus talking with his disciples one evening as they rested at an inn. They have traveled with him and Jerusalem in not far away and Jesus isn’t sure that they are ready for what is ahead, he isn’t sure their answer is “yes.” How can he help them trust in their relationship?
Then an
idea comes to mind. He calls them together. Before he speaks he looks at each
one of them and then says, “You are the salt of the earth! But what if salt
loses it flavor? What is then good for?” Then he looks at each of them intently
again and says. “You are the light of the world! People don’t put a lamp under
a bushel basket, they put it on a stand so that it gives light to the whole
room. In the same way your light must shine, your flavor must be tasted!”
Now I
know I am being a bit free and easy with Jesus’ words but the point is that in
order for us to say “yes” to God we need to trust in the gifts and talents God
has given us. We need to realize that we have something to offer no matter how
ordinary our gifts, abilities and talents seem. Salt and light were everyday
staples of life, yet as Jesus tells us they were also very valuable and so are
we. However, it is up to us. We can hide our light, we can lose our flavor or
we can give light to the whole room and add flavor to life!
Perhaps
the first place to start is to begin our day asking God to let his face shine
upon us so that our flavor isn’t lost and our light shines! Have a great Tuesday
everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
God of all hope, renew in us today the courage to live life to its fullest.
Help us to especially stand for and live out the values that Jesus taught us,
humility, courage, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and love. Grace us with your
wisdom to know how to best live our life in you. When opposition comes our way
help us to not give in to fear and cowardice, help us not to strike back with
violence and anger, help us not to react out of pride and judgment. Help us to
be humble, prayerful people of faith, humble people alive with hope and ready
to offer your love. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “Now bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.”
(William Shakespeare) “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where
there is no path and leave a trail.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Can’t these
thoughts be found in how Jesus is asking us to live? – Have a great day!
Daily
Blessing:
Tuesday greetings and blessings to all! I hope your morning has started off
well and that this will be a good day for you in every way.
In a
couple of hours, I will celebrate our second day of mission here at the Parish
of St. Ephrem. Our opening day went very well. There is a nice spirit here and
we had nice crowds for both sessions. I look forward to more of the same today.
I ask you to please keep the faith community here at St. Ephrem’s in your
prayers and if you could offer a little prayer for their preacher it would be
greatly appreciated!
I hope
you are finding these early days of June which are leading us towards summer
enlivening and life giving. It looks to be another sunny and warm day here in
Brooklyn. My prayer of blessing today is that your day will be rich with God’s
blessings upon your work, your travel, your encounters with others, upon those
whom you love and upon you! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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