Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 19: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 69:1 to 23(24 to 30)31 to 38; Evening, Psalm 73;
2nd Kings 1:2 to 17; 1st Corinthians 3:16 to 23; Matthew 5:11 to 16:
“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 5:14 to 16)
Light is a tricky thing. It can be tainted. It can project a darkness in spite of being light. In our proposed morning Psalm for today, Psalm 69, we have the option of not saying verses 24 through 30 in the Book of Common Prayer. These verses carry with it a desire for God to wreak havoc on those we deem evil or mean. I say God knows the whole story therefore let God do what God will do.
Our Lord Jesus says we who follow Him are the light, or lights, of the world. Douglas R. A. Hare, writing for Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Matthew; argues that the “Your” is plural and that we, collectively as Church, must be such a light. There may be something to that but I believe our individual light must start within our individual selves. And, it is when our individual light is joined with other, inclusive, all-loving lights that we, the Church, bring the world into the Light of Christ. There can be no shades, bushel baskets or “recommended omissions” in it.
I am reminded of the Negro Spiritual, “This Little Light of Mine,” as arranged by Horace Boyer and published in the Hymnal “Lift Every Voice and Sing II,” (1993).
“This Little light of mine, I’m gonna let if shine.” Yes it starts with our individual selves. Prayerfully, as young ones, parents, teachers, preachers and such, will plant in us a loving response to the world. The next verse says, “Every where I go, I’m gonna let it shine.” This applies from going next door, going to school or Church, or work or store, or around the world. We must let our little lights shine. The last verse says, “Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.” I say, Thank You Lord Jesus.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
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