On Reflection
From the manse window
ANOTHER damp, dull, wet, miserable morning, of a stay-indoors day. Polly the poodle and I put on our raincoats. I added a scarf and hat as there was a wind blowing around the Holy Isle, and we ventured out to open the church.
We met Don, the warden of Mary Gate Retreat House, on his way to help his wife Samantha to serve breakfasts. We commiserated with each other about the weather, and Don told me that he wears clothes from the camping shop for days like this.
Continuing our journey, I noticed the gardens in full flower and some yellow roses and white lilac caught my eye. This brightened the day.
This weather would pass and we would return to warmer days. Visualising the white and yellow flowers brought to mind a homily I had recently listened to. The priest was using salt and light (white and yellow) to show what is needed to be a Christian follower and witness.
Salt on its own is quite useless. It needs to be used as an addition, measured out carefully and thoughtfully to make meals tastier.
We as Christians, if we choose to be the light, need, like salt, to use our strengths added to those of others to build a strong foundation.
St Paul, like us, was not part of the earthly ministry of Jesus, but was chosen. His response to be the light to build God’s kingdom was total, and the practical advice he gives in his letters to achieve this is for all of us.
To the Ephesians he wrote, “Since you have become the Lord’s people, you are the light. So you must be like people who belong to the light, for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
He also wrote: “Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.”
Speech is rather like salt – it can enhance or spoil – but we know we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and we must just listen and reflect.
We all know of people who are described as the salt of the earth, and it certainly applied to dear Arthur, who was recently laid to rest.
Arthur was an islander whose family goes back generations. His love for the island was tangible, and he took great pride in keeping the roads and paths swept, and the grass verges tidy.
Morning and evening he could be seen with his cart and broom. During the day when the tide was out he was sitting in the hut in the car park for coaches and disabled drivers.
He had a word and smile for everyone, and a wealth of knowledge about the island and weather. His kindness and helpful presence enhanced the day for everyone who crossed his path, visitors and residents alike.
Jesus said to his disciples, and would say to us today, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. No-one lights a lamp to put it under a table, they put it on a lamp stand where it shines for everyone in the house.”
In the same way, your light must shine in the sight of all you meet, giving a new taste to the world.
Next week: Janice Ross invites us to a Big Lunch.