During some moments of quiet reflection, I ran across the following illustration:

“In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago (so the story goes), a nobleman wondered what legacy to leave his townspeople.  At last he decided to build them a church.

Nobody saw the complete plans until the church was finished.  When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty.  But one noticed an incompleteness.  ‘Where are the lamps?’ he asked.  ‘How will the church be lighted?’

The nobleman smiled.  Then, he gave each family a lamp.  ‘Each time you are here, the area in which you sit will be lighted.  But when you are not here, some part of God’s house will be dark.’”

So, how will this place be lit today?  By who each of you are and what you bring to the care of our patients and families.

Let us pray:

Lord,

Guide us today and every day in bringing Your light to those who are encountering times of darkness.

In Your name I pray,

Amen.