Salt & Light
~ My head and heart are full these days: the news reels that never stop, concern for those I know (and those I don’t) who have lost income or will be losing resources to help provide food and healthcare, the joys of children celebrating Halloween, sadness for those I know who are ill or have passed away, excited hope for the holidays, and two new niblings (Nieces? Nephews? I don’t know!) who will join our family in the next 2 months, what feels like unprecedented division in our country… I could go on. I know I don’t need to, because I’m certain you all feel all of these pulls as well.
Our Youth Ministry has taken as a theme this year “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14), and in all events and prayers, look for ways to help the youth of our parish live that call. November seems like a perfect time for all of us to join them in reflecting on how we live out being salt and light in our world today:
- Salt and light are essentials of our world! We literally cannot live without them. You are essential to our world, and our parish, and beloved by God. Do you know that? Take some time to absorb that.
- Salt and light are small things that do their job – really – only when there is plenty of it. Remember that you are a person whose work, love, and talents are essential, and you do not exist in a vacuum. Rely on others, align yourself with them, and trust that God will multiply your efforts.
- Salt and light can be used in a variety of ways and exist in many forms. No single way of working for good is the sole right way. Let’s remember and be grateful for the diversity of ways God calls us to His work.
During November, our prayer as a Church focuses on the end of the world, and we remember in special ways our loved ones who have gone before us. As we work through the hardships of finding our own ways to be salt and light right now, let’s find joy in remembering all the unique, small, and impactful ways our ancestors have shown us to be salt and light before.
Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff or ministries on a rotating basis.