10th. June. 2021. Daily Devotion.
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. Matthew 5:13-14
We see the image of light throughout the Bible, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. God’s first words in the Bible are, “Let there be light.” Christ’s last words in the last chapter of the Bible are, “I am . . . the bright Morning Star.” We live in darkness if we do not know God and have not heard God’s Word and believed it. We do not know God because we see Him; we know God because He enables us to see. As C. S. Lewis put it, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
But we must be careful, as with any metaphor, not to take the notion of light too literally. When we talk about the light of God, we are not actually talking about the physical act of vision, nor even the broader notion of our array of sensory equipment. The light of God is not visible. We experience an invisible God in our invisible Spirit. Just as the visible light of the sun allows us to see trees and fingernails, the invisible light of God allows us to see truths that we would not otherwise know.
“Light, light, the visible reminder of invisible light.” (T. S. Eliot, from Choruses from the Rock).
Lord, let me always remember that I am your witness. Amen.
Eternal God, as you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbour, grant us the gift of your Spirit that we may be devoted to you with all our heart and united to each other with a pure will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Ambrosian Missal (10th century)
Prayer for the Troubles of the Earth
God of comfort, these times seem so uncertain, so scary. The world seems darker than it has in the past, and I am less sure of myself. Maybe that’s a good thing; maybe now I am turning to you with a realization that I need you so much more and that my life is not in my own control.
Let me not forget all of those around the world who are frightened at this moment. Help those who are victims of terrorism, war, and plague. Be with those who have lost so much in the past year. Hold us all in your loving arms and let us be comforted by the strength and peace you make available to us through the birth of your son, Jesus; and thank you for all the many gifts you offer us, during our life on earth and for all eternity. Amen.
Dedication
God of mercy, swift to help, as my lips pour forth your praise fill my heart with the peace you give to those who wait for your salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
