See Our Lights

Jesus said to the crowd:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away." (Luke 8:16-18)

There are two points made by Luke in this Gospel reading.  First, we all have talents and abilities making us shine.   They should be allowed to glow through strong and abiding faith leading to good works. 

Shutting ourselves off from others and retreating to the solace of our lonely rooms preventing us from sharing and helping is to be like a tree falling in the woods.  No one is there to hear it, so it seems like it doesn’t make a sound.  We do no good when only we can see our own light, as if in a room of mirrors with light never leaving, just bouncing from one wall to another.

Secondly, whatever faith we have, when acted upon, makes it grow and strengthen: “to anyone who has, more will be given.”   When faith is a once and a while thing, such as just on Sundays (or Saturday), it weakens and “will be taken away.”  Like a light-casting fire that must be stoked, faith must be nourished through daily care and prayer.

Let’s get our lampstands so those who meet us “may see the light.”

Deacon David Pierce