“A
Light to the Nations” by Melanie Rigney
It is too little, he
says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore
the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my
salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:6)
I will sing of your salvation. (Psalm
71:15ab)
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus
answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will
follow later.” (John 13:36)
Piety
Jesus, stay with me, so I am not
alone.
Study
As I write this, I’m watching Passion Sunday Mass thanks to
the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
I had to turn away from a different Livestream that started with a half-dozen
priests singing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” in Latin and English. It was just too painful not to sing along
softly with people in my parish I know by name or by sight or whom I’ve never
seen before.
Like everyone else, I’m hurting. Since March 16, I haven’t
left the house other than for daily walks and coffee or grocery stores. One
week the quest was eggs; this week, it’s paper towels. Two friends have had
treasured people die, and there’s no opportunity for them to gather and grieve.
Yes, there are blessings for us all at this time. We’re
cooking and reading more. We’re learning technologies that allow us to have
virtual birthday parties and other gatherings. Still, there is nothing like a
real hug, a real kiss, or the Real Presence received in the community.
I’ve been writing, even though I don’t feel much like doing
it, about male saints. I am doing this only out of obedience—and a contract
that obligates me to turn in a manuscript on May 10.
In doing so, I ran across this quote from the great Thomas
Aquinas:
“For just as it is better to illuminate than to
shine, so it is greater to pass on the fruits of contemplation to others than
just to contemplate.”
Maybe that’s what this time is also about. Shine a light on Him rather than emitting it. Share our victories and struggles rather than
quietly obsessing over them. When we are weak, He is strong. When we are dark,
He is light. When we falter, He picks us up. And sometimes, He uses our
frailties to light the way for others.
Action
Be light today.
https://pixabay.com/photos/tea-lights-candles-light-prayer-2223898/
S.
Hermann and F. Richter, pixel2013
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