Scripture Scribbles: February 8, 2026
the Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."
the scribble
It was pitch dark at 6:00 a.m. on a cold November morning when I pulled in for gas at Penguin Fuels in Hampton, New Hampshire, on my way to Mass. Crystal was already behind the counter, processing my loyalty discount. “It’s so cold and dark,” she said. “I get really depressed when it’s like this.”
Still not fully awake, I wasn’t prepared to respond thoughtfully in that moment. The next morning, after reading about the winter solstice, I found myself ready to continue our open-ended conversation.“It’s true that it will keep getting darker until around December 21st,” I said, “but after that, the days will slowly begin to get lighter.” Crystal offered a weak smile.“Remember,” I added, “Christ’s light is always within you.” Her smile widened.
Later, I was reminded of a quote attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. Though darkness may surround and even engulf us, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5).
So many beloved Christian hymns echo this same hope: Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. And This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! We are reminded that we are the light of the world, called to let our light shine before others, so that they may see the good we do and give glory to God.
Today’s devotion was written by Karen Molvar
