Monday 25 September 2023

Today is Monday 25 September, in the 25th week of Ordinary time.

JJ Heller sings, ‘This Little Light of Mine’.

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let is shine
Let it shine
Everywhere I go
I'm gonna let it shine
Everywhere I go
I'm gonna let it shine
Everywhere I go
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 8:16-18


‘No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’

As a way into this time of prayer, think what it’s like to be sitting in a dark room. Perhaps that’s actually where you are now! Then in your mind’s eye you turn on a lamp, or light a torch. What changes? How does the room feel different? What can you notice that you weren’t noticing before?

In the light, everything is much clearer. Even things that might have been overlooked, perhaps even deliberately hidden, can be seen more clearly. Applied to your own life, is this comforting, or threatening, or perhaps a bit of both?

As you step into the bright light of his presence, what is there in your life that you might want to draw Jesus’s attention to most?

“Pay attention to how you listen”, the passage says. As it is read again, notice what follows these words, and see what you make of them.

The gospels call Jesus “the light of the world”, and he calls each of us to be light for others. As this prayer-time comes to an end, talk to him about what this means for you.

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.