A Light To The World

I was reviewing the gospel reading from the Greek Orthodox lectionary for Sunday, July 13. It was from Matthew 5:14-19. It is familiar scripture that I have read and studied many times. The interesting thing about the scripture is that I can read the same ones over and over and they have a different impact on my understanding. While they stay the same, I'm changing in my life's circumstance and attitudes.

For some reason the words of Jesus resonated more dramatically for me this time as I read: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives a light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven."

The ringing of my cell phone interrupted my meditation on these comforting and encouraging words. On the line, I heard the unsteady voice of my friend Michael Huffington who called to tell me that his father Roy, the patriarch of the family had just died unexpectedly on one of his countless trips overseas. Words seem to lose their mitigating power when applied to the sting and mystery of death. It is sometimes enough to just be there quietly by the side of a grieving friend.

"Uncle Roy" as my family and I lovingly called him was an amazing man. He transcended time. In one form he was a pioneer John Wayne look-a-like who actually lived out in true life the roles Wayne played in the movies. Yet he was as contemporary and engaged in today as a youngster using an I-phone. He was one individual who was a genuine "light to the world". He was a lamp whose light was never hidden under a basket. In a culture beguiled by the desire for stardom and illusive fame, Roy Huffington was content to be a "lamp". He was never intoxicated with exaggerated ego or sense of self-importance.

Jesus Christ called him and us to be lamps unto the world, not stars. The power of the lamp is doing for others, not looking out for ourselves alone. It is the only way to turn up the candlepower in our own individual lamps. Our society needs more lamp Christians, not stars. Lamp Christians are those willing to burn brightly in the service of God, by serving our fellow human beings.

Uncle Roy's humility, even though he reached the pinnacle of worldly success, led him to spread the light of philanthropy and unadulterated kindness to so many around the world. His lamp shed considerable light on some darkened portion of a fellow-traveler's pathway. Roy Huffington knew that the source of that light was his Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all good and every perfect gift comes.

The psalmist reminds me that the eternal and unquenchable flame of scripture is always available to us for additional power. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). As disciples of Christ, we must be "lights of the world." We need only let our lamps shine that others may see and find the way, the truth and the life.

Beloved Uncle Roy, rest in peace now. You have given up your earthly passport and become a citizen of paradise. "Well done good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:21)

May your memory be eternal!

Comments

[tmbaran]

I am happy to see that "faith" is a part of "The Post" but....I was wondering why, with 600,000 youth from all corners of the world gathered at Sydney to see the Holy Father these past days not one article or post has mentioned this as newsworthy. Most media, including the BBC, seem to have no idea what is newsworthy about this. They all want to focus all efforts on hammering priests. I was full of hope that this great new source of news for all Americans would report differently...I am still expecting to see a rise above the rest.

World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney....World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain......

[Jonahson]

This post is an eulogy to the recently departed Roy Huffington let's keep it that way.

May you rest in peace Mr. Roy.

[Russell Bishop - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your Light. Years ago, someone asked if I knew what the word "Light" meant, and they enlightened me: Living In God's Holy Thoughts. Keep on living in the Light and thanks again.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Oh.

I thought he was gonna talk about the Buddha and enlightenment.

[Merlin7]

As an atheist, the references to the Bible are strange, since there is no evidence that those old tribal writings were divinely inspired. For that matter, there is not a shred of evidence anywhere that any god exists. Indeed, all the evidence -- and common sense -- points in the opposite direction. Yet religion remains extremely addictive to billions of people, which is very troubling: Most people are willing to believe anything that makes them feel better, whether or not it makes sense or has any supporting evidence to validate it. It seems obvious even to a layman that religion is merely an outgrowth of the tribalism that shaped human society for tens of thousands of years. What attracts people is the authoritarianism, the strong leader offering words of comfort and encouragement, just as ancient tribal chiefs and shamans did. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking in the modern world often leads to violent conflict and oppression. Humans need to move beyond religion, and soon, or they risk self-extermination as a species.

[TheDailyBanter]

Merlin,
I am generally not a fan or organized religion, but your comments here are irrelevant and insensitive. Father Bakas is not proselytizing here, instead offering us his genuine feelings on the passing of a good man. Is it so horrible to call someone "the light of the world"?
Though the Church can be authoritarian, the book, as Father Bakas mentions, means different things not just to different people but to the same person at different times.
Anything which provides comfort and guidance to the bereaved whether it is philosophical, religious, or otherwise is only a good thing.
As a progressive, I must refute your argument on two other grounds. First the beauty of our movement, as opposed to the right, is that we can accept those into our circle who are not in prefect political agreement with us. Though I am not generally a fan of inserting religion into politics, that does not mean those who practice and believe are disqualified from commenting on the human experience, and relating to what they know best. Second, As I mentioned the book means many different things. Indeed there are many things that have less to do with dogma and more to do with kindness, generosity, anti-materialism, caring for the poor, and many other things our world desperately needs.
If you want to see someone who lives kindness, read Father Bakas biography. If this book is what it takes to get him there, that deserves nothing but the highest praise.

[JamesRiddle]

God is impersonal. God is within us. Shutting down your internal monolgue through meditaton is the surest way to feel unity with the consciousness of the Universe. Praying to a personal diety, beeseching 'it" for assistence, devotion to a man made construct ( Jesus) though well intentioned, will get you nowhere. Be still and know God.

[SharonB]

Thank you for your personal opinion, sir.

[cktirumalai]

I am glad to know about Roy Huffington, and his rising above the limiting ego and his freedom from self-importance. They are far from common qualities.