25 January, 2022
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Heavenly Father, light was what you created first and it shattered through the darkness, irradiating the whole firmament with its brilliance. Father, if the glare of the mighty sun you created is such that it lights up the hemisphere, how much more luminous is the radiance of your incandescent light which reveals the darkest niche or nook and also the deeds and misdeeds of all your created ones.
A light illuminates and purifies. It destroys the darkness of evil and sin. So also, all believers are exhorted by our Lord Jesus to be pure of mind and body and spirit, restoring the soul to a state of sanctity that shines brightly, pointing and revealing the way of truth to all. Those eagerly awaiting the good news of the gospel of truth are enlightened with its brilliance encompassed in the heavenly beams of God’s grace and an awakening and deepening of faith enriching their souls.
Give us Lord, the courage and resilience to brave all odds in spreading the light of your holy word in the darkness of crime, terror and disease, for we are the light. It is not that we ought to be the light, but that we are the light. And we are meant to shine by doing good works that glorify you. For our salvation is earned by your free grace and our faith and good works, of spreading your Word, which is the purpose of every believer. May we draw people to the eternal radiance that houses your holy presence in the fullness of its splendor, where we hope, when our time on earth is spent, to reside, singing and glorifying our Father and King, in Jesus’ Name. Amen