St James Berthieu SJ | 8 June 2021

Today is Tuesday the 8 June, the feast of St James Berthieu SJ, in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time.

The Community of Taizé sing Christe Lux Mundi: ‘O Christ, light of the world, whoever follows you will have the light of life.’

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. "You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Jesus is saying to you, ‘You are the light of the world.’  He’s not talking about himself here, but about you!  And he invites you to ‘let your light shine’. Why? ‘to give glory to your Father in heaven’.  Take a moment to think of what might be coming up in the day ahead and imagine yourself dealing with those events, living this day, in a way that would give glory to God.

Do you think you would approach your life differently if you heard – every morning - Christ’s invitation to ‘let your light shine’?  How would it be different?

Now as you listen to the gospel again, hear Christ’s words addressed to you in the situation you’re living in right now.

Speak to the Lord now about the day ahead, and your hopes for it.  Speak to him about whatever questions or desires have arisen in your heart.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.