“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
For the next few weeks, we'll hear Matthew's Gospel as he describes Jesus as "teacher" in the "Sermon on the Mount.‟ The above lyrics to the song, “Thy Word” by recording artist, Amy Grant describe Jesus‟ words as essential tools for life. “When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way, still you’re there right beside me! Nothing will I fear as long as you are near. You are near me to the end!” This song is a favorite of The Choristers, who will sing it at the 10:00 AM Mass on Sunday morning. Most of us leave a lamp lit in the window upon leaving our homes. It is a comforting sight as we return home to an otherwise dark house. Neighbors see the lamp and assume we‟re at home. There is "life‟ in the house! So it is with our very souls. To "light the lamp‟ of our souls is to shine God‟s light on a world enveloped in the darkness of sin and apathy. Others experience the good, and pass it on. A small act of kindness may be simply to hold open an elevator door when we‟re really in a hurry, or even to allow someone to merge into our lane on Interstate 79! Through our own baptism, we are called to be "salt of the earth." If we think about the uses of salt, we are reminded that it is a preservative and a flavor enhancer. Jesus tells us to "make better‟ the lives of others, to "preserve‟ them from going bad. To fail to do this is to become like a hidden lamp or tasteless salt. And like our lamps that shine from our windows to the street, may our lights shine on the paths of others to light their way to Christ!
For the next few weeks, we'll hear Matthew's Gospel as he describes Jesus as "teacher" in the "Sermon on the Mount.‟ The above lyrics to the song, “Thy Word” by recording artist, Amy Grant describe Jesus‟ words as essential tools for life. “When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way, still you’re there right beside me! Nothing will I fear as long as you are near. You are near me to the end!” This song is a favorite of The Choristers, who will sing it at the 10:00 AM Mass on Sunday morning. Most of us leave a lamp lit in the window upon leaving our homes. It is a comforting sight as we return home to an otherwise dark house. Neighbors see the lamp and assume we‟re at home. There is "life‟ in the house! So it is with our very souls. To "light the lamp‟ of our souls is to shine God‟s light on a world enveloped in the darkness of sin and apathy. Others experience the good, and pass it on. A small act of kindness may be simply to hold open an elevator door when we‟re really in a hurry, or even to allow someone to merge into our lane on Interstate 79! Through our own baptism, we are called to be "salt of the earth." If we think about the uses of salt, we are reminded that it is a preservative and a flavor enhancer. Jesus tells us to "make better‟ the lives of others, to "preserve‟ them from going bad. To fail to do this is to become like a hidden lamp or tasteless salt. And like our lamps that shine from our windows to the street, may our lights shine on the paths of others to light their way to Christ!
