You are Salt, You are Light

Tuesday 7th June 2022. Read 1 Kings 17:7-16, Ps. 4:2-5,7-8, Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored?” (Matthew 5:13) 

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus reveals our identity as the salt of the earth and light of the world. Salt does not ask questions in the kitchen; it does its job, and it never complains. As Salt, you are a sweetener; a bringer of joy, your presence changes things; you do not add to the pain.

In the time of Jesus, there were no electric refrigerators, salt was a major preservative in the home. It was used to prevent things from going bad. As salt, your role is to preserve the world from decay and corruption. You do what is right even when it’s not popular you don’t do what everybody else is doing; you raise the standards.

Today, our nation is suffering from corruption; we have become a failed state. Everyone seems to be looking for an avenue to steal the so-called national cake, now the machinery that produces the cake itself has been stolen; human life has become reduced to nothing. This is why we need salt; we need men and women whose presence will salvage whatever is left.

Abraham begged God not to destroy a whole city and God promised him that if he could find only ten righteous men in the city, He would not destroy it. (Genesis 18:20-33). Just ten men would have been enough to preserve the whole city. These ten are salt. Just as a little quantity of salt is enough to make a soup sweet, do not be bothered if there are not many people like you. Just remain a good person – be the salt.

You are light; you lead, not copy. You do not follow the trends, you create trends. Light bulbs do not need speakers, they speak by doing their jobs. They don’t pretend. If you turn a light bulb on, it would continue to shine even if no one is in the room. Stop living a fake Christian life – actions speak louder than words. Shine even if no one is clapping.

The widow of Zarephath didn’t have much but she had faith. She obeyed the command of Elijah even when it didn’t make sense and God rewarded her faith. Do you believe there is any value in being salt of the earth and light of the world today? Are you willing to obey God when it seems as if you have nothing to live on? Would you rather chase money or chase holiness? The choice is yours to make.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, make me conscious of my true identity always and act accordingly. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Tuesday of week 10 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Kings 17:7-16, Ps. 4:2-5,7-8, Matthew 5:13-16) 

© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu