Saturday, May 14, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Luke 8:16–25     
“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.”

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” (NRSV)

Reflection
I can’t read this passage and not think of this song:

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

And then of the passage from Romans 12:1–8 on how we are all members of Christ’s body, belonging to each other, each with our own gifts.

How encouraging! We don’t all have to be prophets or leaders; we have different gifts, no matter how big or small we may consider them.

But we are called on to cultivate those gifts, to grow them and let them be seen, to use them to God’s glory and to strengthen the body of Christ here and now. Or, as Luke warns, “Those who have will receive more, but as for those who don’t have, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.”

How challenging!

Thankfully, there’s another verse to that song, not as well known.

“Jesus gave me the light, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Jesus gave us our light—it doesn’t come to us through our efforts. We can ask Jesus to help that light shine in us and through us, a gift to the world.

What are you going to do with your little light?

Prayer
Precious Jesus, without you I can do nothing, but with you the world opens, the sea is calmed. Transform me always “through the renewing of my mind” so that I may trust in your mercy and act in faith. Amen.

Written by Anne Ellis, Program Manager for Congregational Life

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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