Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
I often think of God as a light to guide me, but I have not often thought of myself having a light. For our Laity Sunday coming up in two weeks, this is part of the theme. God does not want us to cover our light. Although we are not to brag and hold our good deeds out in front of ourselves as badges of honor, we are not meant to hide them, either. As I read recently, discipleship should not be a secret. How are others to know who we follow if we cover up our light?
Holy Father, sometimes it is hard to walk the line between letting our light shine and bragging about our good deeds. As disciples, I know you want us to encourage each other. Help us, on our Laity Sunday, to encourage and empower one another while honoring you. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kathleen C
Matthew 5:14-16. From the “Message”
Here is another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
This version of Matthew 5:14-16 makes it very plain that we…
Tuesday, October 17th, 2023
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus saids we are the light of the world. It should never be hidden under a basket. Put it on a stand in our homes to give light so all can see not just one. Let our light( or our demeanor ) shine for everyo…
Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus Himself is telling His followers then and now we are now the light of the world. He also takes the logical next step and tells us that light is only helpful when it shines for others to see the way. Our spiritual light takes many forms, just as does natural and manufactured earthly light. Each of us has been gifted by God to be the bearer of a light that is intended to be used by God for others and not hidden. Listen to the children sing - “This little light of mine . . .”
Prayer - God of light, I give thanks for Your Son who sacrificially passed Your light to us through the Holy Spirit.…