Thoughts for the Day

‘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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have had great fun in exploring these two little paragraphs over the years with schools and parishes and especially in my five books called "The Sermon Slot". We have tried eating food with and without salt, and solemnly lighting large candles before equally solemnly shielding their light in some way to make the point that Christians need to shine as lights and make a difference in our world.

However, it is the end of this little section in Matthew's Gospel that brought back even more memories. When I was a child and young adult the minister taking the service would come to the altar rail with a large offertory plate and say "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Book of Common Prayer). This was the cue for the collection to be taken, and because of this I have always associated these words with money.

But of course when attached to the parables about salt and light it has a far greater meaning. Yes, we should give all that we can to the Church for mission, and ministry, though not so others can see it, I think. However, giving is so much more than money, it is about us giving our time and our talents each and every day for the glory of God.

Lord Jesus,
may we not feel as though
we have done our bit on a Sunday,
and then forget Your work
till the following week.
Help us to see that everyday
actions can show our allegiance to You.
May we remember that our lives
should show quiet, but sustained
evidence of our faith.
Amen.