A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
No one after lighting a lamp
puts it under the bushel basket,
but on the lampstand,
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 in heaven.
"Do not think that I have come
to abolish the law or the prophets;
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
For truly I tell you,
until heaven and earth pass away,
not one letter, not one stroke of a letter,
will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
Therefore, whoever breaks
one of the least of these commandments,
and teaches others to do the same,
will be called least in the kingdom of heaven;
but whoever does them and teaches them
will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Light for Others
St Mary's Church, ca.1900
Melton Mowbray, UK
Dear friends,
In this passage, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of being a positive influence in the world. Just as light illuminates the darkness, we too should shine our light, letting others see the love and compassion that we have within us.
Every living being has the potential to become a source of light and compassion in the world, and it is our responsibility to cultivate that potential within ourselves. Through our actions, words, and thoughts, we can bring joy and peace to those around us, and in doing so, we can help create a more harmonious world.
However, it is not enough simply to have the potential to be a light in the world. We must actively strive to live in a way that reflects our inner light and compassion. This means living a life of kindness, compassion, and generosity, and always being mindful of how our actions affect others.
Let us strive to be the light of the world, illuminating the path for others. And let us never forget that every act of kindness, every word of compassion, and every thought of love can make a positive difference in the world.
May peace and happiness be with us all.