Salty People

Reflection:

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading from Matthew (5:13-20), Jesus says to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth,” and “You are the light of the world.” There are lots of ways one can interpret the phrase, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was and continues to be considered a valuable natural resource. In Roman times, it was so valuable that salaries were sometimes paid in salt. It has been used for everything from seasoning to medicinal purposes to curing meat to melting snow on walkways. Melting snow is not an insignificant usage, up here in the frozen north country, where I live and serve.

Salt is also considered to be a blessing. Just before my wedding, when I was packing up, to move to my first apartment, my mother gave me a small baggie with a crust of bread and salt. She told me to always keep this baggie in my kitchen, as it was considered to be good luck. I have since found out that this tradition dates back to the time before Jesus, although I guess they were not packaged in a baggie at that time -:)

When Jesus says “you are the salt of the earth”, he could be saying that you are a valuable resource, or he could be saying that you are a blessing to the world. Whatever spin you put on this phrase, given the importance of salt, Jesus is paying a compliment to his followers. Notice also, that Jesus doesn’t put any conditions on his praise. He doesn’t say “if you do this, then you are salt.” Jesus says plainly and without condition—you are the salt of the earth. This is pure grace.

Jesus then goes on to say “You are the light of the world”. In most cultures, light is considered good and is the antithesis to darkness. In Christianity, light is associated with Jesus, himself. If Jesus’ disciples are light to the world, then they must have a role in reflecting the goodness of Jesus to the world.

Can you think of a time when God has used you to be light to the world? How have you been salt or a blessing to the world? May you be a salty person, blessing and seasoning those around you.

Prayer: Gracious God, you are light and good. Help me to reflect your light and your goodness and your blessing to those around me. Amen

A Light to the Nations

In Isaiah 49, (included in this Old Testament reading for January 16), the Lord tells the the servant that “I will give you as a light to the nations, so that my salvation might reach to the end of the earth.” What challenge does this text offer us? How do we become light to the nations?

In a dark and cold world, light is a powerful force. Much of our literature portrays light in a positive way. I think on a poem by Helge Stangnes, who writes

Come, let us light small lights for one another;

fires to ward off night in a wintry world

(Quoted in ‘The Nordic Light’, Natur Og Kultureforlaget As)

The call to us to be “light to the nations” is a call to be a positive force in a dark and dreary world. It is a call to spread God’s word of saving grace to people near and far. It is a command to show a different way, a way of light, in a world that is dominated by greed, self-interest and evil.

What are ways that you could be a light to the nations? It may seem overwhelming to deal with the problems we see around us. But is there a way that you could light just one candle, brightening someone else’s life and making a difference. Is there a way that you could bring the light of Christ into someone else’s life?

Prayer:

Lord, you call us to the difficult task of being a light to the nations. Guide us and lead us in lighting even one candle to brighten the darkness. Amen

Devotion for the Monday of the Fourth Week in Advent

Theme for the week: peace

Devotion for the monday of the fourth Week in Advent (Day 23)

Reading: Isaiah 9:1–7 (NRSV)

¹ But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. ² The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. ³ You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. ⁴ For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵ For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

REFLECTION:

“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light!!” This passage from Isaiah is our Old Testament reading on Christmas Eve each year. There is something particularly moving about hearing this read in a darkened and candlelit church. The words verbalize the feelings that, at least occasionally, cross our own hearts and minds.

We are those people. We often walk in a kind of darkness—a darkness of soul, a darkness of mood, or a darkness that arises from the sinful nature of humankind. We see poverty, we see crime, we see homelessness and hunger, yet at the same time we see those who have too much of everything. We can feel darkness and despair at the inequity, war, crime and poverty that we see around us.

Yet in the midst of this darkness, we are people who have seen a great light. We are blessed by knowing the Light that is Christ. We have heard the words spoken by Jesus’ mother Mary before his birth. The poor will be lifted up and the hungry will be fed. The Kingdom of God is at hand. The light will prevail. In that light that is Christ, look around you for the signs of hope and peace. The signs of the lame walking, the blind seeing, the hungry be fed and the homeless being given shelter.

“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light!!”

PRAYER:

Pray that the Light which is Christ might brighten your life and reveal to you the coming of God’s Kingdom. May that Light show you the signs of hope and peace. May that Light brighten your path as you seek to live in the Kingdom of God. Amen

Keep Awake: It's a New Year

Blessed Advent to All Readers

On this First Sunday in Advent, as we light the first Advent candle, we remember how these candles illuminate our way for next four weeks. During this time, we will be anticipating Christ's coming--coming as an infant at Christmas, coming again to save us and coming daily into our hearts. Even though Advent is sometimes thought of as a prelude to Christmas, it is its own special time in the Church Year. For me, celebrating Advent with its time for prayer and devotion is a peaceful counter to the cultural demands of the secular Christmas season. Advent says Stop, Wait, and Pray, while the culture calls us to Hurry, Celebrate and Buy.

Although I enjoy celebrating Christmas with all of my family traditions of worship, decorating, special foods, exchanging gifts and cards, and visiting with friends, I find that I need the quiet time of Advent devotion to fully appreciate the Christmas festivities. In these first weeks of Advent, the Advent wreath with its blue candles, signifying hope, is our primary home decoration. The simple wreath with its growing light help keep us focused on the light that Christ brings into the world.

As a way of communicating with you, I will be sharing daily devotions on this blog. These devotions will be my reflections on the Biblical texts highlighted in the new Augsburg Fortress Advent devotional book: "I wonder as I wander". You can find out more about this book at http://www.augsburgfortress.org/

Blessed Advent to all of you.