This week ends with the equinox which heralds the beginning of spring (20th March).  This makes us conscious of balance, light and new life. Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that we are each the light of the world and invites us to make that light shine so that all who see it will in turn give praise to the glory of God. “We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us,” says Marianne Williamson. Why indeed would anyone “after lighting a lamp put it under the bushel basket?” (Mt 5: 15) We encounter in St Patrick (17th March) and St Joseph (19th March), two people who did just that. They made known the glory of God to the society that they lived and grew in. St Joseph, obedient to the voice of God, accepted the invitation to become the husband of Mary and thus facilitated the birth of Jesus, the light of the world. St Patrick, listening to the voice of God, returned to the land of his enslavement to proclaim the Gospel and to bring Christ’s fire to the people there. How might you bring the fire of Christ to people around you? How might you facilitate the birth of Jesus in your community? Remember, you are light of the world!   READ:   “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”  (Marianne Williamson, from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles) WATCH: This little Light of Mine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMaWsfLYQko CONSIDER:
  1. http://www.creativeyouthideas.com/resources/creative-teaching-ideas/light-of-the-world/
  2. http://insight.typepad.co.uk/insight/2008/10/salt-and-light.html