February 9, 2014: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(In this photo, Sister Mary Pat Cummings and a Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College student are sharing their sparkling light with each other.)

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.”  (Matthew 5:13-16)

This past summer, my six-year-old grandniece visited from Florida. During her annual visits to Indiana, one of her great joys is to stay up after dark and see the sparkling lights of the lightning bugs. Jesus tells us not to hide our light under a bushel basket, but rather, using my grandniece’s language, Jesus wants us to bring joy to others by being a “sparkling light” to them.

Action:

There are many ways to be a sparkling light of Jesus. Some include: visiting your grandparents, being caring and respectful to your friend, using kind words, or by just offering a smile. Can you think of other ways to be a sparkling light of Jesus? What will you do this week?