One of the great things about living in the Indiana flatlands is the spectacular sunsets over the open fields when the sunbeams pierce through the clouds with rays of glory. I probably have taken hundreds of pictures of them over the years, but it never gets old and it never ceases to cause me to marvel at the beauty and the wonder of this amazing planet.
Earlier this evening, I was scrolling TikTok and heard a man telling a story of generosity in a time when there appeared to be so much division in our country. His point was that regardless of what you hear or see as you scroll social media and internet newsfeeds, that’s not real. What happens in the communities every day — neighbors helping each other, strangers blessing people with random acts of kindness, people getting along and not worrying about race or gender or social status — that’s more real that the division than we hear about non-stop. It does seem like our nation is divided like never before. From politics to religion, we seem to be fractured on all levels of society. But there is also a ton of amazing good that happens all day every day. It’s not hard to find either. It’s just often overwhelmed by the strident urgency of what the media is trying to shout at us.
So we have this amazing opportunity to do good. And when we do good works (Matthew 5:16), we are partnering with the Divine who loves to give good gifts! In the scriptures, St. James writes in chapter 1 of trials and testing and how these moments refine us and shape our character. In verses 16-17, he says this: “Don’t get off course on your journey. All those amazing and incredible gifts that we get to experience — those gifts are like rivers of light cascading down from the Creator of Light, who characterizes immutability and consistency, embodies truth, and in whom no shadow can dwell.”
So here we are. 2021. Pandemic still raging and people still divided. Guess what? This is an opportunity to experience some rivers of light pouring out over our friends, family and neighbors as we participate in “doing good.” We have the ability to speak life, practice kindness, and be hope and help to those we encounter. In so doing, we practice the qualities that Jesus speaks of in the Sermon on the Mount — “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.” Let your good deeds be a light for others to see. When we open up to other and show them goodness and kindness, it can move them to open their hearts to the Divine!