LENT – DAY 19; A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH

I have been reading the lectionary readings throughout Lent. This morning’s readings include Psalm 119:97-120. In that Psalm is the famous words of verse 105; “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The first memory that I have of those words were reading them in Latin and English inside the cover of my Book of Common Prayer. When Anglicans were confirmed at age 12 it was customary to give a gift of a Book of Common Prayer. In those days I desperately wanted  a leather bound BCP/Hymn Book combined. (Funny how we change  – But they were expensive and I was not sure if Mom and Dad Could afford it.

The Rev’d Morley Boutcher was our parish priest in those days and was one of the major influences in my life. He turned up at the house one day for a visit, handed me a gift  – a beautiful leather BCP/Hymn Book. Inside he had written, “nun lucerna pedi meo verbum tuum et lux semitae meae.”

When I think about those who have shed light for me on this pathway or journey, Morley Boutcher is near the top of that list. I think of him often when I am facing difficult issues and decisions. Morley Boutcher always seemed to keep a very ‘even keel’ in his ministry and I admired him greatly for that.

Lent is a great time to pray about who God lightens our pathway. That is not to say that we have a light load, but that we have the light of one who has walked the darkest trail to guide us as we carry ourselves on this road. As I reflected and prayed today I found myself gladdened for people like my parents and grandparents, my siblings, my wife and many friends and parishioners who have constantly helped shed light on the dark places on the road that I have been walking.

God’s word is a light unto my feet and a light unto my path. God has trusted many people with carrying that light. Can we look around us and see the torch-bearers among us?

[An added note – two of those people who have been special in my life are making a visit. My sister Helen and her husband and my Godfather, Gary will be with us for almost a week. Please pray for safe travel for them tomorrow. They are looking forward meeting the people of St. Mark’s by-the-Lake and I know that many of you are looking forward to meeting them]