The Gospel according to Matthew (5:13-16)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Reflection:
When I was in my “pre-Catholic” days, I attended Christian youth camps each summer. One of the activities we did at those camps was something called a “sword drill”. In it, we were given a Bible verse and the first to find it and read the first few words would be the winner. I proved to have some skill in this area and I recall that the last verse in today’s Gospel is one that I happened to find first (and I won something, though I don’t recall what it was now).
That verse, though, sticks with me, as it is truly a statement about how we are to live as followers of Christ. We are to live a life that glorifies our Heavenly Father. It’s like I say whenever I lead the dismissal at Mass: “Go, live the Gospel by the way you live your life”. Each of us who is a follower of Jesus should live a life that stands out, like a lamp or a city set on a hill. The way we act toward others matters!
Those of us who are parents are well aware that our children observe what we do and will imitate what they see in us. That is why how our light shines is so important! We don’t always know how our actions may truly affect others. We should just choose to do good, for no other reason than that we can change the world for the better by our good deeds. May we let our light shine, and may we share Jesus wherever we go, and brighten the world a bit, like a lamp or that city set on a hill!
Action for the Day:
Be mindful of your actions especially today. Be mindful in doing good, and in showing kindness to everyone you meet today!
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