Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
Luke 8:16-21 (NRSV)
“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Reflect
One of my favorite family beach traditions is going crabbing. After the sun has set, a bunch of us head down to the water with a few nets and flashlights. As we walk the beach, we may catch a few crabs, but mostly, we’re just down there for the thrill of possibly having a crab scurry across the tops of our feet. That thrill is also a fear, however, so it makes having a flashlight to illuminate the ground before you all the more important. Those of us with flashlights inevitably end up sharing the light with those without flashlights. It’s understood that the light is meant to be shared.
In this gospel text today, Jesus teaches that same understanding. The light is meant to be shared with others. In other words, the Word of God, the love of God made flesh in Jesus, is meant to be shared with others. Keeping the knowledge of God’s love and teachings of Jesus to ourselves would be to light a lamp but keep it in a jar. Choosing only to serve and nourish our relationships with God would be to light a lamp but keep it hidden under a bed. Jesus teaches that the light of God’s love is meant to be shared, and actually, he elaborates a little further. He suggests that God’s love is meant to be shared, not only to be spoken with our voices but also to be shown with our actions. He calls us to not only hear God’s word but to also put it into practice. I wonder how you could better share God’s love with others, through both word and action. To those walking in the darkness, the light of God’s love shared through you may be something they really need.
Pray
Loving God, when we are stingy with your love, forgive us. Help us to better understand that you love all with a steadfast, abounding love. O God, through the life of your son Jesus, may we know we are called to love like you love. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Go with God!
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