Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, 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 who is in heaven.Matthew 5:13-16

It has been wonderful to reconnect with dear friends from around the church. The meeting of the House of Bishops includes a good deal of learning and work, and time to examine and discuss the issue before us. The great joy for me is to listen to the stories of new friends and old and to be encouraged by their compassion, love and creativity. For some the challenges of their ministries are great and yet their love for God and the people is palpable, and it is evident in everything they do. They are salt and light for me, bringing new tastes, ideas and insights as we minister together.

Jesus is teaching a great crowd at the beginning of his ministry. They have just heard the beatitudes, the challenges and blessings of the life of faith. Jesus then tells them they are valuable and necessary to the life of the world. Christ's light working in us is a precious resource to the world. God's love brings about a new sense of everything, and a deep richness like what salt can do. We are to understand hoe necessary it is for us to share God's love with the world just as we are, each in our own place, our own time and with our unique gifts.

Today I ask God to help me share the gifts I have knowing that they are blessings from God. May our the light of God's love shine within us so that people might have new joy and hope. May we be salt and light, right where we are, knowing God in Christ is powering us on for the love of the world.