“Salt and Light” by Colleen O’Sullivan
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Brothers and sisters: As God is faithful, our word to you is not “yes” and “no.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)
Lord, let your face shine on me. (R.)
The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130)
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:13ab, 14a, 16)
Piety
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness!
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Study
Paul has evidently upset the Christians in Corinth. He had told them he would visit them on his way to Macedonia and then again on his way back. But there were unanticipated troubles on this journey, and he, Silvanus, and Timothy were unable to do so. The people in Corinth were disappointed and perhaps a bit angry, as witnessed by their claim that Paul and his friends were “Yes “and “No” people – yes, we will come, but no, actually they didn’t. Paul writes to the Corinthians of their struggles in Asia, where they had feared for their very lives.
He takes the opportunity to talk of the promises of God. If God promises something, you can depend on God’s word. God’s “Yes” never changes. And just as God is never two-faced, Paul says neither is he nor are his companions in the faith.
God says yes to all of us by creating us. God forms us in love. That love is unconditional. God engraves each of our names on His Holy palm. We are never forgotten or forsaken. God’s love for us is so great that he sacrifices his only Son for our sake.
In today’s Gospel, we see what God hopes our response to this love will be. God desires that we will lead others to the Lord. In today’s reading, Jesus has just finished sharing the Beatitudes. Now, he tells everyone, be salt for the world. Jesus also says we are the light of the world, so we should let others see that we do not hide that light under a basket.
We take salt for granted today. Every home has a salt shaker, and pre-COVID, every table in every restaurant had one for their guests. We use salt to preserve foods. It also has healing properties. For example, soaking in saltwater is a means of healing some wounds. Salt also adds flavor to otherwise bland foods. When Jesus calls believers the salt of the earth, he means for us to preserve what is good, to bring healing to others, and to flavor all the world with our faith in the Risen Lord.
Jesus also calls us to let our light shine. Illuminate the darkest corners of the world with God’s love. Help the lost see the path to the One who created them in love. Allow the light of our good deeds and our faith to shine forth and beckon others to join us on our Christian journey.
Action
Considering what salt can do, when has someone in the faith been the salt of the earth in your life? When did you see someone preserving something good about our faith in Christ or being a healing presence in your life? Beyond that, when has someone of the faith enhanced the flavor of your spiritual life?
Could you name someone who’s brightened the darker corners of your life with the light of the Lord? Has someone shone a light on your walk of faith? Do you know anyone whose good deeds in the Lord’s name have made a difference in your life?
Be grateful for both the salt of the earth in our midst and those whose lights shine brightly. And take a moment to ask yourself what you could do today to be any of those things to someone else?
No comments:
Post a Comment