Mark 4: 21-25

At the onset of my seminary instruction, I wasn’t accustomed to leading musical portions of liturgy during worship. I’ve never been a musician and to this day I do not read music or play any sort of instrument. Still, I dearly love leading my congregation through the liturgy of our worship, but back in the beginning such was not the case.

The first time I was scheduled to intone the liturgy, my supervising pastor suggested that I run through everything a few times with our music director. Following a few vocal warm ups, the organist played the psalm tone on his piano as I sang rather quietly through the six verses of Psalm 1. After he helped build my confidence, I rather robustly sang out the entire Kyrie and Hymn of Praise in the solitude of his office. After tackling the psalm one more time, the pastor bolted into the room and asked if I would please turn off my wireless microphone. Little did I know that, for about fifteen minutes I had been serenading the group gathered for prayer in the church nave.

As I look back on this event, I realize that had I known the microphone was switched on I would not have made such a public display. Rather, I would have quickly switched it off and continued sheepish with my practice. Instead, I was able to share the good news of God’s saving grace boldly. Even if my voice is not on par with those of qualified musicians and vocalists, there could be no denying the truth of God’s promises kept through his Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus asks his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?” Certainly not! God blesses the Church with the most precious treasure there is, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each baptized child of God is therefore called to give witness to the wonders of God’s mercy and grace by sharing this gift with the world. With the baptismal rite of the Lutheran Church, we exhort the newly baptized to “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Lutheran Book of Worship)

In a world fallen into sin and broken beyond human repair, the only hope for salvation comes through Christ and believing that through him, God indeed keeps his promises. Jesus of Nazareth is light and life for the world. Baptized into his death and resurrection, the light of Christ dwells within God’s people. Shine your light so that through the darkness of the world, all may finally see the glory of the Father and enter the gates of our eternal home.