BE A SALT AND A LIGHT IN THE WORLD
(Is 58: 7-10, Ps 112, 1 Cor 2:1-5, Matt 5:13-16)
We are called upon in the readings of today to be salt and light in the world. To be salt implies to bring changes in the world and in the lives of people through the preaching of the gospel. To be light is to be good examples to others in the world. In other words, our lives must lead people to Christ. To be salt and light means to be authentic Christians in our world today. We cannot say we are followers of Christ, the True Light of the world, if our way of life do not make any impact on the lives of people. Our lives must touch others, which will bring a total transformation in their lives.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah points out to the people of Israel that, their good works will make them shine like light among their fellow people. These were people in exile going through a lot of challenges. But even in the midst of this frustrations, they were expected to perform good works by expressing love to others. ‘ Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, cover him, and do not hide yourself from your own flesh’ Is 58:7. It is only by doing good to the poor among them that the Lord will also come to their aid. He will listen to their supplications as His chosen race if they will be compassionate to others. The Lord will be compassionate to them if they also express it to others. As they touched the lives of people, the Lord will also touch theirs. By so doing, their lives shine in the darkness of the world for people to see the goodness of the Lord. As they perform these good works, they are glorifying the Lord among men. He brought a total transformation in their lives by delivering them from the power of slavery. They truly became a light to the nations. They made people to come and know the one true God, who is all powerful.
Jesus says in John 8:2 that, He is the Light of the world. And in the gospel of today, He invites us to be the salt and light in the world. This teaching forms part of His teaching of the Sermon of the Mount. Where He taught His disciples the kind of life expected of them as His would-be followers. He expected them to live out authentic Christian lives. Permit me to throw more light on the symbolism of the elements of salt and light.
Salt has so many uses but I will dwell on its two major uses in our everyday life. In the first place, salt is a flavour- enhancing agent to our food. It gives taste to our meal. You and I will testify that any food without it is tasteless and sometimes we struggle to eat it. Of course, some have stopped taking it for medical reasons which is not something normal. Jesus is also telling us to be flavour- enhancing agent in the society and in the lives of people. As His creation, we are to enhance the beauty of the world around us. Our presence should bring taste in the lives of others. Good things should come into people’s lives with our presence. People should experience the greatness of God in their lives through us. We should be agents of positive change in the lives of people and the society. We are to radiate the values of Christ, such as joy, love, compassion, generosity, empathy, peace and sacrifice. Our good living should touch the lives of others. Our presence should make people feel the presence of Christ among them, because we are His vessels through whom He touches lives on this planet.
Secondly, salt is also used to preserve the freshness of food. As a preservative, it prevent food from perishing. Salt sustains life. It signifies faithfulness. As salt we are to preserve life, sustain life and be faithful in all our dealings. As we touch the lives of people, we bring Christ to them. A life without Christ is full of crisis. We make people to find meaning in life. People do not become hopeless and give up easily in life. Our words of encouragement makes people see the positive side of the happenings in their lives. They persevere and achieve greater things in life. They become hopeful in life and do not see themselves as people who have failed in life, hence do not see the reason to live.
But if we fail to accomplish this great task as His followers, then we become useless salt. We are of no use in the society and in the lives of people. Our presence doesn’t bring any difference in the lives of people. Our presence rather promotes sadness, division, retrogression, envy, hatred, wickedness to mention a few. We become anti-flavour-enhancing agent. We lose respect among men and people do not regard us to be anything again.
Light on the other hand shines for people to see well. When it shines in darkness, it exposes all the hidden things which were not known by people. Jesus points out that, there is no light which is put on and hidden. Because we do not light any light and prevent it from performing its duty. Our good works will lead people to Jesus. As we live authentic Christian lives, it becomes examples for others to imitate so that they can also become true Christians and not the fake ones. People want to see us living out the gospel values. Even though our world has become a hub of evil activities, but our good living will thrive over the evil. Our presence should diffuse all the evil activities at wherever we find ourselves. Our presence should bring radical change in all evil dominated places. If our presence cannot stop evil activities, then our light is quenched.
The problem of most Christians these days is the fact of fear. We fear to be the salt and the light because, we fear to be called names. When you start to be different by doing good, expect names such as; man of God, woman of God, angel, holy man, righteous person and so forth. If you refuse to take bribe or to give it, you are seen not to be normal in our modern world. Bribing and corruption has become a norm and normal for almost everybody. But we must create a difference for people to come and appreciate the gospel values of Christ. But if we are also involve in the evil activities, then how can we bring the radical change in our societies? People are looking up to us to create the difference. And here we are also doing the same bad things. We cannot afford to fail the society and our people because, you and I have what it takes to bring the transformation that they are yearning for. It doesn’t matter the persecutions and insults we will receive because of the good things we want to do. Remember, our world today prefers evil to good. Pursuing good deeds demands perseverance and great sacrifice in our world today. But evil can never thrive over good. For a short while, it may seem so. But evil cannot stand the test of time. Jesus also faced the same challenge in life. He has to face the Pharisees and the Scribes because of their evil deeds. Finally, they killed Him for standing by the truth and living out authentic life. They tried to hide the truth by making evil to prevail, but it never stood the test of time.
Jesus wants to use us to transform the world by purifying and cleansing it from evil. He wants to renew the face of the earth through us. May God who has called us to this life, strengthen us to be salt and light in the world. May we eschew all fears and be bold enough to live out our true Christian calling, in order to bring radical change in our societies. AMEN. Make someone hopeful today. Be a source of change today!!!
Have a blessed Sunday AND A FAVORED week ahead!!
REV. FR. Akakpo Matthew
