Salt & Light
Scripture:
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.”
Reflection
Dear sisters and brothers,
Salt and light.
Two materials or visible things that are available, that are used, that are necessary, that are ordinary but without them, there is a difference.
Can we live without these two: salt and light?
We cannot.
Even though we may use it as we wish or according to the advice of the doctors and eye specialists.
Now let us understand the meaning of salt and light.
1. Salt
In ancient times salt was the ultimate seasoning that gave taste to food.
Without salt, food would be tasteless.
It was added to preserve the food items.
What is the connection or relation with us as followers of Christ?
We find the answer in the parallel passage in Mark: “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” Mark 9:50.
Salt is an essential food item.
Salt is used to add taste to the food.
Does salt lose its taste?
The simple answer is that it may not be or it may be, depending on where it is placed or added.
If salt loses its taste then it is useless and can no longer make a difference in others.
We are called to be salt disciples to add taste to our Christian lives.
It calls us to add a little salt.
What is salt in our Christian lives?
Salt is love.
It adds a taste to our lives.
Even little love can make a difference not only in our lives but also in the world.
As Jesus says in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
Love is the characteristic mark or defining symbol by which we can lead our Christian lives.
How do we show our love?
Isaiah expressed:
“Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own” Isaiah 58:7.
Love preserves our Christian identity wherever we are, whatever we say and do.
Love is our brand name as disciples of Christ.
There are some of them, who went away from Jesus Christ because they have lost the love in their lives.
Having said that, I move on to the light.
2. Light
As light, we are called to show the way.
Without light, we knock, collide with each other, and fall into the ditch.
Light removes darkness.
A light with dead batteries is no good for someone in the dark.
Light functions with oil, water, battery, and so on.
Love within us lightens and chases away the darkness.
Love gives us the energy to be light to the world.
But many times we are away from the realities of our society and our world without realizing that we can indeed be salt and light in the world “not on human wisdom but on the power of God” 1 Corinthians 2:5.
It is a way to make a difference in our society and in our world as disciples of Christ, being salt and light.
Imagine the world, without salt and light, the world would be in a very bad shape, tasteless, uninteresting and impossible to live in.
The world becomes a safer and a better place filled with hope, faith, and peace with the salt and light of the disciples of Christ.
It is our call, our duty, and our responsibility as disciples of Jesus Christ to make the world a better place.
Let us commit to making a difference starting today.
We can decide to light a candle rather than curse the darkness.
Even the smallest candle helps in a world of darkness.
The just man is a light in darkness to the upright (Psalm 112:4).
As we recite Psalm 112:4-9:
“Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.”
May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all. Amen…
