When Life Loses its Luster...
"When Life Loses its Luster" is the title of a chapter in a book by John W. Rilling called Have A Good Day (Have A Good Day, Muhlenberg: Philadelphia, 1958). The word luster came from the Latin word "lustrare," meaning to light, to illuminate. Originally, it came from "lustrum," a sacrifice. It signified to purify by sacrifice. Life at its best has the quality of brightness and radiance about it. In the Priestly Blessing taught by Moses to Aaron, even God's face is pictured as lustrous and shining. This is a sign of his favorable disposition to us (Numbers 6:25).