“You are the light of the world,”

I walked through our One in Christ “True North” Vacation Bible School about ten days ago hosted at St. Francis Xavier. As ever, I was in awe of the remarkable joy, irrepressible energy, and life on display. Over 250 children, 100 volunteers, decorations and snacks and games and activities that speak of countless hours of preparation … and joy that only a child can display. There were powdered sugar donuts that day, too. Thank you to all of you who made this happen, and do so year after year. One of the earworms that pops into my head unbidden from time to time comes from a VBS song about 30 years ago: “I Wanna Be Sheep, Not a Goat (Oh No!).” That’s the only line I remember, but it’s pretty stuck in my otherwise often-fuzzy memory. The lyrics are rooted in Matthew 25, of course: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least ones, you did for me.’ This is the origin of the traditional list of the “corporal works of mercy.” Later reflection added the spiritual works of mercy, also rooted in Scripture: to help those in error, teach about the Faith, give advice to the doubtful, comfort those who suffer, be patient with others, forgive injuries, and pray for the living and the dead. This is all happening, day by day, and you are doing it. The news is often dominated by suffering, sorrow, violence, losses near and far, and so many things that go wrong in the human family. That reality so often weighs us down. We can start to wonder if there is any good left in the world, anything transcendent and generous and kind.

Yes, there is.

You are doing it. In your homes and families, in your service to one another, in your personal prayers and praying with your children and grandchildren, you are doing it. In taking time to visit friends and family, especially when there is loneliness or difficulty, you are doing it. In the birthday cards, the Thank You’s, the handwritten notes of encouragement, you are doing it. In visiting a loved one’s grave, attending a wake or funeral, going to the anniversary or birthday or graduation or goingaway party, you are doing it. In getting up to go to work and doing your best there to help others and make a living for yourself and those who depend on you, you are doing it. In countless ways, many known only to God, you are doing it. “You are the light of the world,” Jesus tells us. Even if you’ve never heard that VBS song, you wanna be a sheep, not a goat (oh no!). In a time when so many know the darkness of our age, thank you for being that light for and with Jesus Christ.