YOU ARE THE SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD

 

Homily for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Isaiah 58:7-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16

 

Today’s gospel reading follows immediately after the Beatitudes of last Sunday’s gospel reading. In the beatitudes, Jesus tells us that being his disciples means that our lives will take on the character of being poor in spirit and pure in heart, of being humble toward God and meek and merciful toward others; of being peacemakers and lastly, of being ready to bear persecution for the sake of the kingdom (Matthew 5:1-12). In today’s gospel reading, Jesus goes further to remind us of our identity and calling in relation to the world. He says: “You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). What this means is that as Christians, the kind of influence we are meant to have in the world is like that of light and salt.

Light and salt are valuable elements without which there will be darkness and tastelessness. By using the images of light and salt to describe our Christian vocation in the world, Jesus is telling us that as Christians, we have an important and distinctive role to play in the world. The world is no more as good as God created it (Genesis 1:25) because Christians have forgotten the important role they occupy in the world. As St John Chrysostom once said, “the world is not good today because Christians have refused to be Christians.” In other words, Christians have refused to be the light and salt. Dear friend, the world today needs Christians who remain Christians.

In the time of Jesus, salt was highly valued. In the absence of refrigeration of any kind, it was used to preserve food. It was also used to give food a flavor. There was a Roman saying that ‘Nothing is more precious than sun and salt’. In our time, salt is still highly valued. It is used to purify things, preserve edibles from decay, add flavor to food, and melt the ice. Salt is invaluable but inexpensive. It works quietly and in all temperatures. As salt of the ‘earth’ therefore, Christians are called to be present to our world in a way that helps to preserve what is best there and that adds a divine flavor that would not otherwise be there. Insofar as we bring out the best in others, and nurture all that is good in our midst, we are indeed salt of the earth.

Also, as an object, light illumines the dark, warms the environment, enlightens the ignorant, and shows direction to the lost. In the same manner, Christians are called to illumine our darkened world, offer warmth to those whose hearts are cold of love and forgiveness, enlighten those going astray and show the way to those who have lost their way to Christ as a result of sin. As Christians, we should allow the light of God’s love which was shone through Christ, to shine through us. We have been enlightened by Jesus, and our light is not to remain ‘hidden’. Rather, we should allow our light to shine for all to see (Matthew 5:16).

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah offers us practical examples of what it means to be the light and salt of the earth. We fully live out our Christian identity as the light and salt of the earth when we share our bread with the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and those in prison (Isaiah 58:7-8). These are the good works that bring light into a darkened world. St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that such works are a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives ( 1 Corinthians 2:5).

Lastly, salt is not taken for its own sake and light is also not lighted for its own sake. Salt gives taste to others just as light gives light to others and not to itself. Salt and light are most effective when they do not draw attention to themselves. If our good works give light to those in darkness, it is not to draw attention to ourselves but so that others ‘may give the praise to your Father in heaven’ because of our lives (Matthew 5:16). As salt and light, we have a responsibility not just to ourselves and those in our immediate circle but to the world as a whole. May the Lord grant us the grace to be faithful to this calling. Amen.