Let it shine, let it shine!
Epiphany 2, Year A
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 shine, let it shine.
What about you? Are you going to let your light shine?
The lessons and collects for the weeks following Epiphany are selected to inspire us to look for, bath in, and reflect the light of Christ. God’s light shown so brightly foreign dignitaries, aka 3 wisemen, went on a 4 year expedition to locate Christ. Matthew 2:1-12 The light of Christ beamed so bright shepherds abandoned their flocks to go “even unto Bethlehem to see what the Lord brought to pass.” Luke 2:8-20 The light of Christ was so strong Anna’s eyes, dimmed by age and the death of her spouse, recognized Divine glory in the infant of working class parents. Luke 2:36-38 With the wise people, nomadic shepherds, and elderly widow we must look for the light of Christ. We cannot afford to be dissuaded by the odd and offputting circumstances of Christ: born in a barn surrounded by animals; dining with sinners; talking with tax collectors; and discussing theology with a foreign woman with lots lovers, but no spouse.
Why should locating, bathing in, and reflecting the light of Christ be our purpose? Why strive and struggle to let our light shine in a world where light is regularly dimmed by human deeds or natural disasters. I let my light shine so when others see my efforts they might give glory to God whom they cannot see. The prophet Isaiah said our purpose is to be light; a “light… that allows God’s salvation reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6b
John points out Jesus to his disciples in today’s Gospel reading. Upon meeting Jesus, John’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. John 1:35-42 John did not object. John did not express concerns about whether he would find new disciples. He was unconcerned about whether people would come to hear him preach or to be baptized. When you’re anxious about the number of people attending worship, distressed by young adults who show no interest in marriage and even less interest in a church wedding, or depressed by church deficits remember John. John’s words and actions can help you cope with anxiety, distress, and depression. John’s words and actions can show you how to dispel darkness. John found and pursued his purpose. His purpose was to locate, glorify, and point people to the light. This is why John was not concerned about his disciples departure, loosing followers, or having no one to baptize. These were means to an end. The end or objective of John’s efforts, was shining light; leading people to Christ.
God spoke to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah. In the passage read today (Isaiah 49:1-7) we get to ease-drop on the conversation between God and Isaiah. We hear Isaiah’s complaint. He and the people were frustrated by their failures. They had striven and struggled to be faithful, but kept falling short of the mark. Isaiah told God
you formed us in the womb to be servants, to bring Jacob back… and gather Israel to the Lord… have we labored in vain, have we spent our strength for nothing and vanity…? Isaiah 49:4
We’ve been frustrated and faced failures. When Christ Church services have less than 20 people it can feel as though our efforts are in vain. When we elect representatives whose policies increase the cost of living, ignore settled law, and sew conflict it can seem as though voting is a waste of time. God’s response to Isaiah’s complaint offers us solace. God told Isaiah,
it is too light a thing for you to be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the survivors of Israel; instead I will make you a light to all nations, that salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6
Isaiah’s purpose was not confined to people who shared his race and faith. The aim on his prophecies was not increasing temple attendance. God said those tasks were, “too light.” Isaiah’s purpose, our reason for being, is bigger and more important.
The Psalm recited today (40:1-12) reminds us that the Lord our God is an equally opportunity God. God stoops to hear our cries. God…lifts us from desolate pits, mire and mud to set our feet on high ground rock, making our steps secure. God…puts a new song in our mouths, songs of praise… Psalm 40:1-3
God loves with abandon; forgives indiscriminately; caste pearls before swine; turns the other cheek; and dies for our sins. Why? According to Psalm 40, God does these things so “many will see, fear, and trust God.” Psalm 40:3b God walks with us to deepen our faith. God lifts us up to increase our trust. When Jesus stretched his arms wide on the cross it was for the purpose of bringing the whole world into God’s saving embrace. The purpose of people who call themselves Christians, is to be like Christ. Seeking the light of Christ, immersing ourselves in Christ-like thoughts, words, and deeds, and reflecting the light of Christ makes it possible for others to discover what we know, they too are forgiven and loved.
During my years in parish ministry, my preaching, going around to introduce myself to people, and investing resources to advertise church services did not have a significantly impact on attendance. There were significant changes when church members looked for Christ, immersed their thoughts, words and deeds in Christ-like ways, and let their light shine.
Funds and volunteers emerged, ministries that made a difference to people in need started, and membership increased. More important than these, looking for the light of Christ, immersing ourselves in the Christ-like action, and reflecting the light of Christ disperses darkness. Christians can and must be flashlights. Flashlights shining into darkness. Darkness that creeps in when debilitating illness or life threatening diseases are diagnosed. Darkness that envelops when the cost of living exceeds wages earned or money saved. Darkness that overwhelms in circumstances that divide people into camps of us and them, ICE agents and illegals, Democrats and Republicans, or white supremacist and Antifa. Letting your light shine gives people a chance to themselves as children of God.
The Gospel of John proclaims
In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God. …What has come into being in Word/Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. John 1:1, 4-5
The light of Christ was not overcome by darkness and will not be overcome by light.
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine. Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine. Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Letting your light shine before men and women that when they see your efforts they give glory to God who they cannot see.
