A city on a hill is pretty common imagery. But do you know where that comes from? It’s in the Bible, and part of today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 5. In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 17, we read about how a widow provided for the prophet Elijah, and God provided for the widow and her son in a miraculous way.
Jesus said to His disciples, “A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.” What would the people in the surrounding valleys have to do to see the city on a hill? They would have to look up. This city on a hill of which Jesus speaks is the Church. We should be a shining example that people can look up to. But do they?
Many today do not look up to the Church. Quite the opposite. They look down at the Church, fancying her to be filled with unloving, judgmental people. While this may or may not be true, I think it is important for us to ask what role we play in that. When it comes to the view of the world, all the parts help to make up the whole. Unless we’re all shining out the love of Christ, the city on a hill won’t be bright enough to shine through the darkness.
Father, help us to shine the light of Christ in our lives, that you Church will truly be seen as that city on a hill. Amen.
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