Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
Theme: Called to be the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth
By Michael McCabe, SMA
In his 1969 hit song, ‘Try a Little Kindness’, Glen Campbell sings ‘Just shine your light for everyone to see’, echoing the words of Jesus to his disciples in today’s gospel: ‘Your light must shine in the sight of people’ (Mt 5:14). Light is one of the oldest and most important symbols found in all religions and cultures, and it is the central symbol of Christianity. The God we worship is not just the source of light. He is light. In the words of St John’s first letter, ‘God is light; in him there is no darkness at all’ (1 Jn 1:5). Jesus, the Son of God and ‘perfect copy of his nature’ (Heb 1:3) ‘is the true light who enlightens everyone in the world’ (Jn 1:9).
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be instruments in the transformation of the world: ‘You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world’ (Mt: 5:13,14). This is our fundamental vocation and constant challenge. Today’s readings clarify this vocation, answering the questions how and why we are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah, tells us that it is by speaking and acting with justice and compassion that we bring light into the darkness of the world: ‘If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed, your light will shine in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon’(Is 58:10). The responsorial psalm confirms Isaiah’s plea. By being generous, merciful and just, the good person ‘is a light in the darkness for the upright’ (Ps 111:4).
Along with the symbol of light, today’s gospel reading from Matthew also uses the symbol of salt to illustrate our vocation as followers of Christ: ‘You are the salt of the earth’ (Mt 5:13). Salt was a valuable commodity in the world of Jesus’ time. It had many uses. Not only did it add flavour to food, it was also a preservative. It was used to fertilise crops and as an agent of healing. Like light, salt, then, is an apt symbol for our calling as disciples of Jesus. We are called and sent into the world to draw out and preserve the inherent goodness in the world around us. We are enjoined to manifest the presence of God in the everyday lives of people and in the wonders of creation. We are called to be sources of healing for the wounds of society that so easily turn septic if ignored. And just as salt can sting as well as heal, so, too, are called to be courageous in confronting, challenging and correcting the abuses that today scar the face of humanity – the propagation of fake news; the greed and corruption of political leaders; the horrific impact of wars and violence on millions of men, women and children; the unconscionable exploitation of our common home – planet earth.
When we were baptised, the light of Christ was entrusted to our parents and god-parents with these words: ‘Receive the light of Christ…This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly: These children of yours have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of light. May they keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts.’ By our baptism, we are called not just to walk as children of the light, but to be children of light and to bring that light into the darkness of our world. The testimony of Aristides, a second century philosopher, reveals how well the early Christian community reflected the light of Christ by the witness of their lives. Writing to the Emperor Hadrian in defence of the Christians, he states that: ‘Christians love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who would hurt them. If one member of the community has something, he gives freely to those who have nothing. If they see a stranger, Christians take him home as though he were a real brother…. There is something divine in them.’
It is clear that the lives of the early Christians manifested what Paul in our second reading calls ‘the power of the Spirit’ (1 Cor 2:5). We might ask ourselves if that divine spark is evident in our communities today. Do our lives shine as brightly in our world as the lives of the early Christians did in the world of their time? Have we become like salt that has lost its taste? How well do we manifest ‘the power of the Spirit’ at work in us?
So let us pray:
Author of light, of freedom, of love,
open our eyes and our hearts
to your presence in our midst,
and sustain us with the power of your Spirit,
as we strive to embrace the challenge to be
light of the world and salt of the earth,
and so promote your reign of justice, truth and love
in the circumstances of our time. Amen.
Listen to an alternative audio Homily by Tom Casey, SMA: