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Sunday was the Feast of the Presentation, when Christians recall the day Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus at the temple, offering Him back to God the Father. It is a mystery, like so many others, in which Christ in a sense returns home.
Another thought, while listening to the lecture below:
Sometimes a light is useful by itself, like a flashlight. Sometimes a light is one of a team, only together illuminating their space.
Sometimes a light is noticed. Sometimes it isn’t. It might obviously be in the right place at the right time, and for that assistance is thanked. Or its usefulness might be taken for granted, nevertheless transforming an experience for someone.
Light is a common theme in my song lyrics, as in poetry and prose throughout history. But now I am reminded rather of another lyric, though similar, which invites gifts of all sizes: “Keep it just a simple thing / if that is what you bring / The smallest drop is part of the sea.”
No individual drop of an ocean is visible, even if you look for one. Yet the ocean depends on those little drops, like each sparkle of sunlight illuminates our world just a little bit.
Don’t measure your gifts. God alone knows how they mix and match with others to form a greater service. Every smile, every kind word, every moment of attention to show that another person matters, every bit of dust you brush away, every fallen leaf you pick from a living plant — so many tiny actions matter. Do what is good without worry for its fleeting mark.
Rest is okay too. “See a need; fill a need.” Your gifts, your light, will often surprise even yourself. If a need is not momentarily visible, just remain ready to welcome one. God is sneaky sometimes.
Good line. Could be a whole post.
Some thoughts on Candlemass from the East, from last year.
http://ricochet.com/593092/archives/icon-part-7-the-presentation-of-the-lord/