SALT OF THE EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD:Matthew 5: 13-16

 Down the history we heard about many ideologies, theories, philosophies and religious traditions but no one has ever claimed as “the way, the truth and the Life,” (John 14:6) except Jesus Christ, the living God, who said “Whoever finds their life will lose and whoever loses it for my sake will find it,” (Matthew 10:39) for “I have come to give you life and life in all its fullness” (John 10”10). Therefore, he is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).   

In life, there are certain essentials that guide us and lead us to the Father in Heaven. Hence, Jesus begins his public ministry with Beatitudes (Sermon on Mount) which are the measure of our earthly life. By these beatitudes Jesus once again sets the importance of the Ten Commandments that were given by God the Father. By this teaching and preaching he sets the tone for us to live to the full.  

However, there are many young people today, who live life anyhow and somehow as if there is no God. This in fact is a common phenomenon in today’s trend setting societies; where identity is in a flux, character is of a person is least bothered and values are devalued due to pop-culture, techno-culture and mob-mindset. Unfortunately such attitudes are growing in number. As a result of this young people end up miserably in life. Thus they lead a wrong path and lose the salt and the light of their life and end up in dissipation and disappointment and make their life a mess. Such individuals seek signs and miracles to come to God or to believe in God. Since, God is given least priority in life, the devil takes refuge in such hearts and minds. They lose the vigour of their life and become victims of every evil force and get addicted to evil habits, for there is no place for God in such lives. 

On the contrary, we have saints who believed God as their way, truth and life. St Alphonsa, St Mother Teresa, St John Paul II and Bl. Rani Maria stand tall as icons of inspiration and perspiration to be the light and to bear the light. Even in the midst of trails and temptations, they believed and relied on God’s grace. That was an act of their faith in God who never abandoned them. For, ‘He loved them (us) with an everlasting love.’ They lived their life as salt of the earth and light of the world despite trials and tribulations in life. 

Jesus after preaching the beatitudes he told them the parable of the Salt and Light. We know how useful salt and light are. Like the salt and light we all have a vocation for the world. If salt be insipid: i.e, useless. Strictly speaking, salt cannot lose its flavour and remain salt, but it can become unclean and need to be thrown out. Salt is both a spice and a preservative. Pure salt by its very nature does not lose its taste, but salt that is impure can lose its saltiness and consequently have no value whatever. So when disciples are told “you are the salt of the earth” they are to be that permanent living people of the covenant who would draw other people into a relationship with God. Jesus by saying you are ‘the salt of the earth and light of the world,’ he acknowledged their vocation that disposes them to lead oneself to God and thus become the channels of God’s love and mercy to others. Like Peter and Paul having been strengthened in Christ to strengthen my brothers and sister in Christ alone (young people). Thus we live the words of St Iraneus “Man/woman who is fully alive is the glory of God.”

    

In the Old Testament light imagery is applied to God who led Israel out of Egyptian by day as pillar of cloud and by night as pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21). In the New Testament it is applied to Jesus as light who guides our feet into peace and gives life in our darkness (Luke 1:79, Eph 5: 8). Therefore, Jesus the true light invites his disciples to be like a city set on a mountain (Jerusalem) to stand steadfast in the world mission. Just like the candle that consumes itself but gives light for others, so too the true disciples live life not for themselves but for others. (Cor 4:7). Thus we let our light shine to all who are at our service.  

St John Paul II says that “Humanity is a bridge to Christ’s divinity.” Being human is the only we to reach God in maturity of heart and mind. Hence, human formation is a matured way to express authentic love for God and neighbor. Therefore, each one of us is blessed with numerous gifts, talents, abilities and strengths to grow in Christ’s humanity (he was a good teacher, carpenter, good shepherd and a good friend of all children and young people of his times. The Bible says that “as a boy he grew in wisdom and age.” Thus boy Jesus grew as a matured man and succeeded Joseph his foster father to support the family as the bread winner. Jesus lived his life as the salt of the earth light of the world and manifested God’s love. He was at his best in everything that he did for mission. Thus Jesus himself sets a new platform for us to be the best at every activity be it, work, study, music, dance, sports etc. The challenge before us is to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. In this way we give glory to the heavenly Father. Thus in our new life of being salt of the earth and light of the world we manifest God’s glory to the world. That is why Jesus addressed God as the Father who is the source of all our life, energy and good will. Our life flows from God’s immense goodness and love. And we know the saying love begets love. Therefore, being rooted in God we bear God’s love as fruits from our labor. Jesus is one example par excellence who manifested God’s love and life. 

Did any one of us hear someone gifted to bring the dead to life? No.

Did any one of us hear that someone who says that he/she gives life for you? No.

Did any one of us hear that someone who said that I am the way to the Father? No.

Did any one of us come back to life after death and lived for 40 days and said that, he will come again to save us?

And who said I AM THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD?