[ Today's Readings ]
The world is dark lately isn't it? There is so much fear and hate out there. We bemoan this fact. We bemoan the violence and aggression. We regret the lack of mutual understanding. It seems entirely independent of ourselves. It is like watching a horror movie or a train wreck.
Yet the darkness of the world is not a problem from which we can excuse ourselves. We are meant to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Are people hungry? We are called to share our bread. Are they homeless? We are called to shelter them. Are they naked? We must clothe them. Or do we simply turn our backs on them as if they are just part of the darkness that is out there and not our problem? We cannot, perhaps, help every individual in every problem. But if we help the individuals we can help we make a genuine difference. We become a true light in the darkness.
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
We become quickly overwhelmed trying to face the darkness on our own. When we speak life into the darkness we cannot do it with persuasive or clever human wisdom. Instead we need the Holy Spirit to show us where and how we can make a difference so that we are not trying to shine our own light into the world but rather showing forth the power and the light of God.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
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