Illumination
Day 536, Thursday, Jan. 29
Mark 4:1-41
One of the earliest songs many of us remember from Sunday school is “This Little Light of Mine.” It is based on part of today’s reading: verses 21-25.
In telling the story, Jesus asks, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?”
We often stop with that part of the image, looking at the positive side of wanting to illuminate the whole room.
The teeth of the story come in Jesus’s next sentence, though: “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.”
This passage was always especially important to me during my time as a journalist, and helped lead me in that direction. I strongly believe, as evidenced by this scripture, that trying to hide from the light of truth is bad, and ultimately destined to fail.
One sermon I heard about this passage many years ago took the passage in an unusual direction. The preacher spoke about how, in World War II, powerful searchlights were used to spot enemy aircraft. As a consequence, the searchlights and their operators were prime targets for the enemy—the exposure the light allowed was a danger.
The same is still true. People who bring the light of truth into the darkness that hides evil make themselves targets. Evil does not like to be exposed.
Jesus still calls us to be the light, though, shining the light of his truth into the darkest corners of our world.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Thursday meditation

Psalms 71:1-13
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.” Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me. May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

Prayer focus
Lord, let us boldly shine your light in the darkenss.