Let Your Light So Shine

Beads of Joy 02-06-11

Let Your Light So Shine
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Praise Jesus, Sunday has arrived. I love Sundays. Salt and light, two very important things that are in our life. Salt plays many roles in what we eat, we use salt to season and flavor and preserve our foods. On the physical side of our bodies, salt is very important in many functions. I learned that salt actually helps maintain our blood cells; it also carries information to our nerves and muscles. And did you know our bodies can't produce salt, so we need to make sure we add salt to our diet either in the foods we eat, or to the foods we eat. My son Travis, as some of you know, has some heart issues that haven't been fully addressed yet, he has one more test to go to this month. Well his pediatric heart doctor told Travis to increase his salt intake, he told him, it's very good for his heart. Today we are reflecting on Matthew 5:13-16 (Salt and Light). If you take the time to look at the biological side of the importance of light, there wouldn't be enough time today to share it all. I might need to devote a week to share all the facts I have found. But to sum it up quickly, light is critical in the process of photosynthesis. And photosynthesis according to this document from my sons school in Arizona, says that."Photosynthesis is arguably the most important biological processes on earth." So all that says a lot about today's gospel, when you read the first seven words in verse 13, "You are the salt of the earth," and then the first seven words of verse 14, "You are the light of the world."

Now think about the light (candles) in the time of Jesus, and how they were critical beyond our needs today. Today we flip a switch and think nothing of it, back in Jesus' time to have light in the midst of the nights darkness was critical. Towns and cities didn't light up the sky at night back then, like they do today. They did light up the area to some degree, because there was virtually no light, but not like the cities do today. And when you reflect upon that and think of it's most important benefit in the darkness, what is it? The light in the darkness helps to prevent us from falling on our face. The light helps serve as a guide so we can plainly see the things that would make us fall. So instead of falling, we maneuver around that which is in our way. Just as Jesus (the light of the world), teaches us to be like Him before others. Read verse 16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." And now let's take a look at how "salt" it can be translated into our ministry as helping draw others to Jesus. Salt does several things, purify, preserve, and penetrate. We can help purify the world with God's word and love; and then we can preserve the good it develops; and as we share more and more with others, we can penetrate into the farthest reaches of the earth sharing God's word and love with every one. As salt to the body, must be added to keep healthy; so must we add Jesus into the world to better preserve it, and keep it healthy.

>Today I ask our Dear Lord to help all of us, to see how important we all are in His ministry in this world. Amongst us, there are many who believe, some of us lead, and some of us follow. No matter what role we are in, we are all in the "sharing Jesus" mode of our ministry, which is all about sharing His ministry. Sharing the very Joy of the relationship we have with Him, to others. I pray Lord that the blindness of sin and the deception it can create in the lives of all of us, be lifted from us. We need clarity and strength to share your word and your gospel with others Dear Lord, I further pray that, salt and light emanate from each of our souls as people get to know us, and see us and learn about us. May others see You Lord, when they see us. Not in physical form, or Almighty magnificence, but rather in Your humble, loving attitude with life and Your love towards others. Please my Lord direct all our hearts fully and completely to You. We ask this in Your Name my Dear Jesus. AMEN

True Joy, Joy that is eternal comes straight from living our life, in the light of God's truth and love. Once we know we have that love and truth inside us, we should do all we can to constantly share it with everyone. God has given us the Holy Spirit, and in that wonderful pure, beautiful Holy Spirit; there is so much Joy, that I can never ever fully explain in these words. Our language, limits our ability to truly, completely express that kind of Joy in its fullest sense. I say to all my sisters and brothers to be strong and bold in your belief and love for Him, Him who we call Savior and Lord. We have been given a blessed and holy task, and that is be "light for the world" and "salt for the earth" sharing Jesus to all. Me personally, the only thing that will slow me down a little bit; is me in a six foot box, six foot down. But even that won't stop me. Pray and ask God how you to might, write and share your testimony and love for Him; so that even the grave can't stop you from drawing others to Him.

"Jesus, I trust in You."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today we pray the Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of The Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation