***
Gospel: 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
Snacking is a popular American pastime. According to a recent survey, 94% of Americans admit to snacking at least once a day.
50% claim to snack three times per day!
I spoke to someone recently who said, “Father, I suffer from lack-a-snack-a-phobia!”
“Lack-a-snack-a-phobia,” I said. “What’s that?”
“The fear of not having a snack when you want one. So, I always carry a bag of chips in my purse!”
***
The key ingredient to most snacks is salt.
Just a pinch of it goes a long way.
***
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.” Not, “You should be.” Not, “You might want to think about it.”
“You are.”
We flavor the world around us much like salt flavors a chip.
A little love – a dash of faith – goes a long way.
Think about how children feel when they open their lunchbox and find a note from mom or dad within.
How you feel when someone offers you a compliment. Or the weight lifted from your shoulders when someone says, “I’m sorry.” Or a phone call, text, or visit from a friend when you’re sick or lonely.
Just a pinch of love goes a long way.
***
Salt also preserves. Certainly, in the ancient world, salt was essential for keeping bacteria out of food. Without it, people could’ve gotten terribly sick.
So, if we are salty Christians, then what must we preserve?
Our faith.
We live it, learn it, and hand it on to the next generation. I think about our catechists, in particular, who labor week after week to preserve their faith and to teach it to our children.
***
And salt facilitates thirst. Whenever you polish off a bag of Rold Gold pretzels, you’re thirsty.
Similarly, Christians are meant to inspire a thirst in others for Christ, who calls himself, “the living water.”
***
In what ways do I inspire faith – a thirst for Christ – in others?
***
“You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.”
Salt flavors. Light dispels the darkness.
Darkness is often associated with fear, chaos, the unknown. I remember as a child always wanting to sleep with a light on. I was afraid there might be something under my bed or in my closet…thankfully, there never was!
But just that tiny nightlight made me feel secure.
That’s the power of light – and by extension, the power of a Christian. We dispel the darkness. We order the chaos. We brighten the world around us. And make others feel loved and secure.
***
The nature of light is to burn bright. But it always comes at a cost to itself.
Think about the sun and the stars. They warm and brighten the earth … and will continue to do so until they have no energy left.
That’s the type of person each of us is called to be – to give without counting the cost.
I think of parents who gladly tote their kids around town; who work all day to put bread on the table; grandparents who joyfully babysit the kids; parishioners who offer their skills, happily volunteering their time to help our parish grow.
And, above all, Jesus who on the last night of his life on earth gave us the only thing he had left, his Body and Blood.
So, in what ways are we the light of the world? How do we spend ourselves for others?
***
“You are the light of the world, the salt of the earth,” Jesus says.
Bright and salty.
What might that look like for me this coming week?
***
***
Image credits: (1) Christian Liberty Academy (2) Pastor Daniel Flucke, WordPress (3) Medium, Christopher Hoskins