Maine Musings #5: Shining Stars
You shine as lights in the world. — Phil. 2:15 DRB
This week, I attended a funeral for someone who passed away from cancer. She lived to middle age — not old age. I was told ahead of time that the funeral would be small and without music. However, while there I encountered a form of music and of light as well.
Sitting in the front row were five sisters from a congregation called the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts. They had driven three hours to show care and support for the grieving family. During the funeral service, from their places in the pew, they sang in unison parts of the liturgy, bringing a peaceful solace to all present.
These women are lights sparkling on a pond, each one like a shining star. Every star twinkles, but the source of brightness is not its own — instead reflecting the Source of Light.
Not all the pond was sparkling, just in certain places. And where these lights grouped together, the entire area danced softly with a brilliance and attractiveness all its own.
No single light sought to be the center of attention, but each one contributed a brightness that was clear for others to see.
Prayer
Lord, You are the Source of light. Thank you for those who so beautifully reflect Your light to those around them. Bring a new dawn into my heart this day and let me also shine Your light to others.
As the sun illumines all with its rays, so the soul united to God becomes itself a light. —St. Gregory of Nyssa, The Life of Moses (De vita Moysis), c. 371 A.D.
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Thank you for this moving devotion and the beautiful video of the lights on the water.