DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Christ taught His disciples who in turn taught the crowds, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

If the people, as did Christ, ever travelled to Jerusalem, they would remember that slow ascent up the hill on which Jerusalem was built, Mount Zion.  Not a lofty mountain by any means, but quite visible for miles in the flat terrain of that region.  Jerusalem, the holy city of Israel, now being made all the glorious by the massive walls and buildings being built by the Herods, would literally glimmer in the blazing sun.  Jerusalem was truly a shining city on a hill.

But would it be the glint of swords that would be the Light to the world?  Would it the reflection off those massive stones placed by Herod’s ambition?  No, it would purer light of nobler character.  It would be the radiant light of a glowing Love.  It would be the light off the sterling of nobler ways.  It would be the light of God shining forth through lanterns of human grace.

In a few short years after Christ’s ministry, those flashing swords would be defeated and those glimmering stones of Herod would turn to rubble, but the lamps of faith burning with Presence of God, they would never be extinguished.

It is a people’s commitment to higher, nobler ideals that chases away the darkness.  It is a people reputation for love, justice, and mercy, all matters Divine, that conquers the darkness.  It is not the swords or palatial pride that illumines the world, but the lamps and candles who turn the days and ways of their lives into brings of Holy Light.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz