When I read this passage, it felt very personal. “You” are the light of the world, Jesus said. That’s me … and you … every one of us with our own unique light to shine into the world.

What does it mean to shine our light before others? Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” We don’t have to look far to find darkness – anger, hatred and greed fill the headlines nearly every day. Keeping track of the rules and regulations about keeping ‘safe and well’ at this time can also make us feel as if we’re living under a bushel of anxiety and fear. Fighting such dark feelings with more darkness might feel good and appropriate for a moment, but that only adds to the dark – it doesn’t drive it out. Only light – manifesting as love, compassion, selflessness – can bring God’s love into the world.

I recently had surgery to repair a broken bone. Before my operation, Reverend Maya told me she was using her prayers to focus light on my hip. I was so moved by that image, I asked other friends for the same prayer. I felt an almost physical light shining on my injury, working to heal and mend it. The experience made me wonder how I might bring that kind of light to others.

I think what I can do today is receive that light, absorb it, and then reflect it back into the world, trusting the light will shine where it is needed most.

Prayer: Loving God, help me shine a light today into the darkness. Let me bring your light to those who need to see. Amen