If we do not shine in faith, the world is darker.
Sunday, Feb. 8, is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16.
In the Gospel, the Lord describes metaphorically what a Christian is and what he expects of us.
You are the salt of the earth. … You are the light of the world. … But if salt goes flat it is good for nothing. … No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket.
He says, “You.” You are salt. You are light. You.
The Lord is saying that both images depend on us. You are either salt or you are good for nothing. The Lord says that you are the light of the world, not merely a light. What this means is that if we do not shine in faith, the world is darker.
What are some of the lessons we can learn about being salt?
As salt seasons, Christians are called to add spice to life and to bring beauty, joy and hope to the world.
Salt also preserves. Before refrigeration, people often used salt to cure or preserve meat. The salt killed bacteria and other microorganisms that caused rot and decay. As Christians, we are called to prevent further decay in this sin-soaked world.
Salt heals, too. In the ancient world, salt was used on wounds to stop bleeding, kill bacteria and prevent infection. Through our doctrinal and moral teaching, and our living of it, we are called to bring healing to this world wounded by sin.
At the same time, salt burns. We Christians aren’t just sugar and spice and everything nice. The truth stings and can be irritating to our sin-wounded culture. But the sting of moral truth is a healing one, driving out the disease of the world.
Jesus goes on to say,
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Notice that little word: “Let.” We are to yield to Christ, to allow him to shine through us, since he is the cause of our light.
Letting our light shine is no mere abstraction. Jesus speaks of deeds. Shining involves concrete behavior: by the way you live, the choices you make, the behavior you exhibit. It shines when we walk uprightly and speak the truth in love, without compromise.
And remember, God is glorified when our light shines. So shine on!