“Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning”
(Luke 12:35)
“We hold burning lamps in our
hands, when by good works we show forth bright examples to our neighbour,” said
St. Augustine. If you do right you spread the light. If you forgive a wrong
doer you teach him to forgive, that way you spread the light. Keep your lamp of
good example burning. It may be your place of work is plunged into darkness of
discouragement, keep a lamp of reassurance burning. It may be you are in the
dark days of pessimism after someone has made you feel a failure, keep a lamp
of optimism burning for failure is never final. Where there is a slight
mistake, excuse. Where there is a serious mistake, forgive. Where there is a
great offence pardon. Do everything to keep the lamp burning with might and
main-with full power.
Make sure your lamp is burning. A
blind man visited his friends. It was dark when he left and they gave him a
lantern. “Thank you, but I don’t need it. Light or dark it’s all the same to
me.” His friend replied, “yes, but carry it anyway so people won’t bump into
you.” Off he went, but soon someone collided into him and shouted, “why don’t
you look where you are going?” The blind man replied, “why don’t you see my
lantern?” “Sorry, brother,” the other said, “your candle went out.” Make sure
your lamp is burning. Stress the positive. Say only what is good of the dead.
Prayer for Today
God thanks for the burning lamps around us, the redeeming brightness
around us for nothing is wholly dark. Every cloud has a silver lining. God
teach us to keep our lamps burning. Help us to hold the burning lamps by the
light of example, contemplation, encouragement, hope, sacrificial love,
gratitude and forgiveness. Amen.
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