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“Y’all are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14).  “Let y’all’s light so shine before others…” (vs. 16 (yes, the Greek is in the 2nd person plural!)).  These words of Jesus set the tone for this Sunday, and it’s a wonderful theme!  In the darkness of the news and current events, it’s a welcome word that unfortunately gets missed in all the other noise.  It is hard for me to not get caught up in negativity.  Our reading from Isaiah 58 this Sunday is a good prophetic reminder:  “If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness” (vs. 9-10).  I see the polarization in our country and listen for the “light” in the common values that hold us together—which we’ll never hear if we keep “pointing the finger” blaming the other.  And then I look at what all goes on at St. Matthew’s, and if I’m not careful will miss all the light shining through y’all.

            For example:  A group of women last weekend gathered for a workshop led by Braver Angels, a volunteer-led organization working to promote dialogue.  The topic was “de-polarizing within.”  Expect to hear more in the near future about how more of us can do that…  Grace Crossing Food Pantry will sponsor next Sunday’s coffee fellowship.  Chris Marziale will give a presentation on their ministry and thank us for our support of them.  This Sunday, we’ll unveil the Lantern Hill banner and kick off a fundraising effort for this summer’s mission trip to Mexico.  The banner was made by the Piecemakers (formerly the Chatty Country Quilters).  We also just had Pre-School Sunday—giving thanks for all it does for the community and the families it serves.  And those are just a few things, literally, right off the top of my head….

            ALL of this is inspired and made possible by Christ’s Spirit within us.  I absolutely refuse to fall prey to cynicism and the “counter-arguments” that point out all the problems that remain.  Pointing the finger doesn’t solve a problem; it just points it out.  Only God’s goodness can solve our problems, and believing Jesus when he says, “Y’all are the light of the world.”  

Peace,

Pr. Christian