Cultivating the Light

“You are the light of the world. 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.” From Matthew 5:13-20

The morning light at this time of year is particularly beautiful. Some days I am really good about taking a moment to pause and truly appreciate it. Other days, I miss it in my hurry or distraction. It reminds me that often it is not a matter of whether the light is there, but whether I am taking the time to notice it. It is especially important in dark times to actively seek the light. It is only after we have received it that we have the ability to reflect it back into the world.

Renee Good’s brothers testified at the U.S. Capitol this week. Brent Ganger, Renee’s brother, shared some words from the eulogy he gave at her funeral. He said, “When I think of Renee, I think of dandelions and sunlight. Dandelions don’t ask permission to grow. They push through cracks in the sidewalks and hard soil ... unapologetically hopeful. And sunlight; warm, steady, life-giving. Because when she walked in a room, things felt lighter.”

Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount this week with powerful images that are not separate from the Beatitudes, but an expansion of their power. When living fully in God’s vision for the world, we can cultivate light and bear it wholeheartedly into the darkest places.

How do you seek the light? And when you see it, do you share where you have glimpsed it?

Just this week, I have seen it in the natural beauty of the world. I saw it in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as I witnessed a community that tragically lost their priest over a year ago embrace, with love and hope, the Wise family as they begin their new season with them. I have seen it in the joy of worship and hymns sung with words penned long ago that suddenly seem written just for us now, in this time. I have seen it in a text that made me laugh out loud. I have seen it in a statement our bishop supported asking us to remain steadfastly hopeful. I even saw it in an airport filled with delayed travelers.

The light is there; we must seek it and then tell about it.

The season of Epiphany is a season of light-seeking. In a short few weeks, we will enter Lent and our focus will shift. But before we make the turn, let us gather as much light as we can.

Peace, Beth +