‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. Matthew 5:11-16
There was a lighthouse in the town where my family lived. Visitors would come and complain about what they would call "the bright flashlight" someone was shining in our windows at night. Every 15 seconds the light rotates and it flashed against our three story home for generations as well. The light has been crucial to navigation for generations, and still is, even in this age of electronic and satellite navigation. Despite how people misunderstand or criticize us, we are called to share our light and our flavor. No matter how we are treated God invites us to shine, for the world is always in need of that light.
Wondrous Creator, you send light in our darkness
you salt the world with flavor and paint the sky
you lead us safely to share in terrible storms
and set a table for us where love is truly genuine.
We often curse the darkness and our bland lives
we ache when we are criticized and reviled
acting out like small children who are spoiled
instead of trusting in your love and blessings.
Give us your spirit of hope and deep insight
let us be salt and light to those who are aching
make us help those who are sinking deep
and give us abundant love for all people everywhere. Amen.
