Ordinary Time 
Pause
Salt. Light. A wooden cross. A trembling voice. An untied rope. A song of praise.
These are humble signs of God's initiative in our world.
Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see.
Listen
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet.”
Matthew 5:13
Think
“No matter how busy you are,” he said, “strive to read at least one line of Scripture every day because you will find, especially when reading the words of Jesus, that your heart, over time, will be opened up to God’s Holy Word.” These encouraging words from a sermon I recently heard remind me to trust Scripture even on days when I may not fully grasp its meaning.
This is especially helpful when Jesus’ words describe a quality of discipleship like they do in Matthew 5:13. While the exact metaphor of being “the salt of the earth” feels lost to me as I read, I can still remember with faith that this is not a mere poem or inspirational quote that I am encountering but the very voice of Jesus.
Treasuring this encounter and trusting that God is at work, whether I fully grasp the Scripture with which I am wrestling or not, allows a hopeful light to shine through even during my dimmest moments.
Sarah H. Boatwright
Pray
Almighty God, thank you for my shortcomings. Through them please help me to grow in faith that I may follow you. Amen.
Go
Our highest activity must be response, not initiative.
C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain (1940)
What is your response to God today?
