Bible Readings
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)
Thought
Today is my mum’s birthday (Happy Birthday Mum!) and hopefully I will be in Lincoln celebrating it with her. The county of Lincolnshire is very flat; on a clear day you can see for miles across fields and open countryside and the sky seems to go on forever. But the city of Lincoln itself is not so flat. The old part of the city is was built up on a hill. If you are walking, and you are feeling fit, you can walk up ‘Steep Hill’ which is very aptly named and takes you from the modern part of the town centre up to the castle and the Cathedral. Lincoln Cathedral is built from the rock it is standing on and is a beautiful light coloured stone.
As I drive towards Lincoln on the A46 I pass a caravan park called Cathedral View. I am still quite a few miles away from Lincoln at this point and when I first saw the name of the caravan park I thought that you couldn’t possibly see the Cathedral from this distance, but you can indeed see the Cathedral - in the daytime its light coloured stone and vast size make it easy to see and at night it is illuminated so that it shines out across the countryside, a clear symbol of Christian faith.
The Cathedral dominates the skyline around Lincoln. It is a continual reminder that we are called to be lights in this world. In Matthew we are reminded that a city set on a hill cannot be hidden and there is no hiding Lincoln Cathedral. We are to be like Lincoln Cathedral, shining out in daylight or night, reflecting the light of Christ who came into our dark world so that we can walk as children of light.
Prayer
Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness, opened our eyes, let us see beauty that made our hearts adore you, hope of a life spent with you.
Amen
Song: Here I am to worship
