Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, 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 in heaven.

My Kiwi cousins have a name for it – Mana. A person of mana is a person of inner courage, integrity and authenticity. I think the word humility is one of the most misunderstood in language. For some, misguidedly, it is about self-flagellation – physically, emotionally or verbally – constantly putting yourself down, becoming small.

As a little boy growing up in Proserpine, I would often observe my wonderful mother Zena doing the ironing. She would set up the ironing board and then get a record of Bing Crosby from the shelf and play it as she ironed. One of my favourites was of Crosby telling the story of the donkey on Christmas night – “the small one” – the small, un-named donkey that carried the pregnant Mary to a stable.

The story told of the dignity and worth of that small donkey, humbly doing one of the most precious things in history. Unlike the TV show, Kath and Kim, it is NOT about “look at me look at me!” Rather, as we fall in love with the shepherd – we will go inward to our heart. There we will sit at the feet of the love master, and allow God to whisper to our hearts, “You are my work of art!” (Ephesians 2:10)

From that space – our hearts will be transformed, and we will go into our day quietly, humbly, being other centred, being the eyes, ears, feet, hands and voice of Christ to the others that we meet on life’s journey. Then, beautifully, we will be salt to the earth and a light on a stand giving hope to a world desperate for it.

How does being “the small one” play out in your life?