You Are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World
May you continue to be a source of the enhancement in other
people’s life, by bringing light into their darkness and providing a sense of
hope in them.
Life can be dull and lack excitement at times. It can be
downright oppressive at other times. What helps us keep going is by having
something or someone bring a bit of encouragement and hope to us. We can begin
to see more clearly and experience some of the Goodness that is always present,
but that Goodness needs to be brought out more. God is always with us, but we
often fail to see and taste the Goodness of the Lord Jesus. We need others to
shine some light on our situation and bring out the flavor of that which is
Good in us and in our situation. We also need to be the source of enlightenment
and enhancement in the bland and/or dark lives of those around us. We need to
help them focus on the Good that is there. That is our responsibility as
disciples of the Lord Jesus.
The theme of light shines through our readings today. The
emphasis is not exclusively, or even primarily, on Jesus as the Light of the
world, but on our call to be light to the world.
First Reading: Isaiah 58:6-10: ‘Your light shall break
forth like the dawn.’
Commentary: We
need to start thinking again about genuine conversion, turning back to the
Lord. This passage comes far on in the Book of Isaiah, written when the Jews
had returned from exile in Babylon, but still things were not going right for
them, still the favour of the Lord did not seem to be upon them. It makes a
good examination of conscience: do I invite the homeless poor, share my
advantages with others? Am I at peace with my family? Do I seek to dominate by
the ‘clenched fist’, the wounding word, the put-down which can shrivel someone
up? Isaiah is contrasting genuine
service of the Lord with the merely exterior practices of religion, the
conventional ways in which we may seem to be ‘holy’ people. In fact, however,
holiness is all a matter of the heart, and – at any rate in this
text – mostly a matter of seeing and serving God in other people. That is
the only way our light can really shine in the darkness, and our own wounds be
healed over. As in the Beatitudes, God’s demands always have a promise
attached.
Responsorial Psalm: 112:4-5. 6-7. 8a, 9: A light rises in
the darkness for the upright.
The Responsorial Psalm picks up the theme of the light
flowing from the good deeds of the just. Those who are gracious and merciful
will receive the light from God because they give to the poor.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: ‘I proclaimed to you
the mystery of Christ crucified.’
Commentary: What
was the secret of Paul’s success? At times he seems to us boastful, ‘Take me as
your pattern’ (4.17) or ‘Be united in imitating me’ (Phil 3.17). He boasts of
his faultless Jewish ancestry: ‘Are they Hebrews? So am I’ (2 Cor 11.22), etc.
He claims to have undergone for Christ more sufferings and persecutions than
others (2 Cor 12), to have been perfect in the Law (Phil 3.6), to have
outstripped his contemporaries in his zeal for the Law (Ga 1.14). He claims
that he speaks in tongues more than any of them, and yet he does not make much
of it (1 Cor 14.18). Yet here he insists that he came among the Corinthians in
weakness, in fear and great trembling in order to make known the power of the
Spirit. In the same way he will later admit that he holds the treasure of the
light of Christ in fragile pots made of earthenware (2 Cor 4.7). There are some
wonderful rhetorical passages in Paul, where he exploits to the full the
literary and oratorical training he had received, but in the last analysis one must
admit that his power consists simply in the power of his message and the
promises of Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16: ‘You are the light of the
world.’
Commentary: These
sayings about salt and about the light of a lamp come in various places in the
Gospels, to challenge or encourage the disciples of Jesus. In Mark the saying
about salt is joined to other sayings about salt, not by logic but simply by
the catch-word ‘salt’. Here in Matthew, right after the opening promises of the
Sermon on the Mount, they are surely a challenge to the disciples – not
the Twelve, but all the disciples of Jesus, both those who kept company with
Jesus and those who have followed after.
The image of salt is obvious enough: food cooked without
salt can be bland and tasteless, utterly unexciting. So a half-hearted or
shallow proclamation of the gospel wins no converts. The message of the gospel
must be piquant, sharp and challenging. If it does not change the life and
temper of the hearer it has lost its piquancy and may as well be thrown out.
The proclamation of Jesus aroused annoyance and opposition; the same will no
doubt be the case in the world of today.
The image of a lamp is gentler and wholly positive. Think of
the flame of a small oil-lamp in the darkness of a large one-roomed house!
Under a tub or a bowl or even a bed it will have no effect at all on the
darkness, but on a lamp-stand it can bring light into the farthest corners,
make social life and activity possible and bring joy to a whole family and its
friends.
At the beginning of the Sermon these two images challenge
disciples to share the salt and the light of the message they will receive with
all who have ears to hear.
Reflection: Jesus
used ordinary images, such as salt and light, to convey extraordinary truths
that transform our minds, hearts, and lives. What does salt and light have to
teach us about God and the transforming power of his kingdom? Salt was a
valuable commodity in the ancient world. People traded with it, like we trade
with valuable goods, such as gold and stock. Salt also served a very useful
purpose, especially in warmer climates before the invention of electricity and
refrigeration. Salt not only gave rich flavor to food, it also preserved food
from going bad and being spoiled.
The salt of God's kingdom for
all: Jesus used the image of salt to describe the transforming
effect of God's work in our lives - and how the Holy Spirit wants to work
through us to bring the power and blessing of God's kingdom to others. As salt
purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for our daily food, we, too, as
disciples of Jesus, are "salt" for the world of human society. The
Lord wants to work in and through us to purify, preserve, and spread the rich
flavor of God's kingdom everywhere - his "kingdom of righteousness, peace,
and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
Don't lose your saltiness: What
did Jesus mean by the expression "if salt has lost its taste... it is no
longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot"
(Matthew 5:13)? Salt in the ancient world was often put into ovens to intensify
the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out
on the ground where it would easily get stepped on and swept away (Matthew
5:13). How can we lose our "saltiness"? When we allow the world, sin,
and Satan to corrupt us. The Lord wants us to preserve our
"saltiness" - through virtuous living and rejection of sin - not only
for our own sake but also for the sake of others.
The aroma of Christ in the
world: Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be
"the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among
those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a
fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ). Do you allow the
fragrance of Christ's love, truth, and holiness to permeate every area of your
life, your thoughts, words, actions, and relationships?
Light that shines for all to
see: Jesus used the image of light and a lamp to further his
illustration of God's transforming work in and through us. Lamps in the ancient
world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to
see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood
"light" as symbol or expression of the inner beauty, truth, and
goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp
that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only illumines the
darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and
peace.
Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples
are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines
the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in
the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's
kingdom. Our mission is to be light-bearers of Jesus Christ so that others may
see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and
deception.
There is great freedom and joy for those who live in the
light of God's truth and goodness. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in
God's light?
Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth.
Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness
of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will
for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed.
Daily Quote from the Early
Church Fathers: The Light of
Truth, by Chromatius (died 406 AD)
The Lord has already called his disciples the "salt of
the earth" because they seasoned with divine wisdom the hearts of the
human race which had been made tasteless by the devil. Now he also calls them
the "light of the world." For, illumined by his very own self who is
the true and eternal light, they too become light within the darkness. For
since he himself is the sun of righteousness, he rightly also calls his
disciples "light of the world." Through them, as if through shining
rays, he poured the light of his knowledge on the entire world. For by showing
the light of truth, the Lord's disciples made the darkness of error flee from
people's hearts. (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 19.1.1-2)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop
of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He
died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy
man."]
light in the darkness: “Your
light must shine before men.” —Matthew 5:16
In today’s Mass readings, light shines through the presence
of gloom (Is 58:10; Ps 112:4). The light of Christ shines through the seeming
gloom of the cross (see Mt 4:16; Is 9:1). That is the “real light” (Jn 1:9; 1
Jn 2:8), the spotlight, the beacon shining out in the gloom of night. Today’s
Mass features this prayer in the Preface: “You have called us out of darkness
into Your own wonderful light” (see 1 Pt 2:9).
In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares: “You are the light of the
world” (Mt 5:14). However, the light of Christ shining through you must not be
hidden under a bushel basket (Mt 5:15). The bushel basket is not humility; it
is a combination of pride and fear.
We ourselves are not the light (see Jn 1:8). Instead, we are
to be like stained-glass windows, which “magnify” the light, just as the
Blessed Virgin Mary magnified the Lord (see Lk 1:46). The light of Christ
shining through us “shall break forth like the dawn” (Is 58:8) and shine
through the darkness (see Ps 112:4). “Light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Is 58:10).
Jesus crucified is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12). The
Creed we say at Mass proclaims: “Light from light,” meaning Jesus the Light is
sent from the Father Who is Light (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 242). In a
similar way, let Christ’s light shine brightly in your daily life and actions.
It’s dark and gloomy out there. Proclaim the crucified Jesus. Let His light
shine.
Prayer: Father, set a fire in my heart that burns with
the love of Jesus for all to see. “Your faith rests not on the wisdom of men
but on the power of God.” —1 Cor 2:5. Praise You, Jesus, for Your great light
dispelling the darkness of gloom (Is 9:1). You are the true Light. Alleluia!
The personal question for
today: How have I been salt to
others, preserving that which is Good in their lives, enhancing their lives,
and providing healing? In what ways have I helped to shed light on those who
are experiencing darkness in their lives? What further can I do to bring the
Goodness of the Lord Jesus to someone today? This week?
Saint Josephine Bakhita:
For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free
and eventually that spirit prevailed.
Born in Olgossa in the Darfur region of southern Sudan, Josephine
was kidnapped at the age of 7, sold into slavery and given the name Bakhita, which
means fortunate. She was resold several times, finally in 1883 to Callisto
Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan.
Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his
friend Augusto Michieli. Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she
accompanied to Venice’s Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters.
While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic Church.
She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine.
When the Michielis returned from Africa and wanted to take Mimmina
and Josephine back with them, the future saint refused to go. During the ensuing
court case, the Canossian Sisters and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephine’s
behalf. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually
been free since 1885.
Saint Josephine Bakhita entered the Institute of St. Magdalene
of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later. In 1902, she was transferred
to the city of Schio (northeast of Verona), where she assisted her religious community
through cooking, sewing, embroidery, and welcoming visitors at the door. She soon
became well loved by the children attending the sisters’ school and the local citizens.
She once said, “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What
a great grace it is to know God!” The first steps toward her beatification began
in 1959. She was beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.
Saint Josephine Bakhita’s body was mutilated by those who enslaved
her, but they could not touch her spirit. Her Baptism set her on an eventual path
toward asserting her civic freedom and then service to God’s people as a Canossian
Sister.
She who worked under many “masters” was finally happy to address God as “master” and carry out everything that she believed to be God’s will for her.