Proper 14 (CL)

Ephesians 5:3-21

³ But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. ⁴ Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. ⁵ For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰ and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. ¹³ But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, ¹⁴ for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This passage reminds me of my childhood (I say that but still kinda feel the same way today). You walk into a dark room or lie in your dark bedroom, and wonder what is going on in the darkness. St Paul talks about the various things that happen in the darkness. I tend to think of the guys looking through a dark room with a small flashlight and discovering all these horrible acts taking place as they shine the light.

St Paul gives us a fuller picture. He adds to the story. The Light of Christ shines into the World showing the truth. “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.” God delivers us from darkness, and makes us lights. He shines that little flashlight over each of us revealing our lewd behavior. He pulls us out of the Darkness into the Light of his love and forgiveness. But Jesus does not just move passed us, but makes us into little flashlights.

It is therefore our duty to shine into the darkness, revealing the truth. It is our job to tell other people what is right or wrong. As children of the Light it is important to instruct one another, as St Paul writes, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” St Paul is obligating us to call other people to repentance. Put off the darkness and put on Christ. He is shining his light of forgiveness into your life.