Daily Gospel Reflection for June 9, 2015

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of the Church

My home is in a rural town at the foot of a mountain. On top of the mountain is a lodge—a popular destination for visitors during the spring, summer, and especially the fall when the leaves are changing colors. From almost anywhere in town, as the sky begins to darken each night, we can see the twinkling lights of the lodge. Even when the sky is pitch black, we can judge direction by the lights from that lodge. When we see the lights, we know where the mountain lies, and we can take our bearings from that.

In the winter months, when the lodge closes and the lights don’t twinkle in the dark, it is a little harder to judge direction in the dark. I find myself looking for those lights and feeling their absence. Although I can certainly still find my way around, I miss the familiar, bright comfort they provide.

Sometimes, that lodge reminds me of the lamp on the lampstand in this passage--a miniature city on a hill, visible to everyone down below in the valley. By merely sitting on top of the mountain with its lights on, it helps us find our way. When the lights are off, finding our way is a little more difficult. Aren’t our lives a little like this, too? We live out our faith in everyday ways. Perhaps we are not evangelists in the traditional sense. Maybe we don’t talk a lot about our faith or go out of our way to discuss it with our friends and colleagues. By living our faith, though, we cast a visible light into the darkness, and those around us can see that light.

We might think our lights are insignificant. Maybe they don’t seem as bright to us as the lights of other people we know. Still, people are watching the light. Its existence helps them get their bearings. Our light, no matter how small, has the power to clarify their direction just by being there.

Ponder:

Who are the lights in my life that help me get my bearings? Am I aware of being a light for someone else?

Pray:

God, when I become discouraged, give me the strength to keep my light shining. Help me remember that even a small light in the darkness can help someone else to find her way.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Abbey Dupuy