This is a prayer I go to when I feel the need to get back to the basics of being a child of God, of being the light of the world, of becoming all flame. (Yes, I should pray this every day…I really should.)
I hope it is a help and blessing to you.
dw
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Us, the light of the world
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 lampstand, 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.
— Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV Bible with Apocrypha
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12, NRSV Bible with Apocrypha
Jesus is all flame; he is the light of the world, the light of life for all people. Our desire to become all flame, as Abba Joseph puts it, is simply another way of saying we want to love Jesus so much we will follow him no matter what, just to be with him in his mission of truth, mercy, healing, provision, redemption, justice, and love.
I regret that I regularly and habitually focus on the ashes and not the light, as Thomas Merton writes; every time I do that, I forfeit an experience of the very best for something less than that. As Mary Oliver says, when I do that “there is something wrong, I know”.
- What is your response to Jesus’ claim to be “the light of the world”?
- How do you manage in our culture that is designed and engineered to capture our attention in a million different ways?
- What is your experience of “light” vs. “darkness” in your life?
- Take a moment to write down what comes to your mind. Maybe share it with a loved one later.
Gracious God, in your mercy, enable us to follow Jesus more and more each day.
Grace and peace to you…
dw
Image – Rembrandt portrait of Jesus from wikiart.org
becoming flame 