Readings: Is. 58:7-10; Ps. 112; 1Cor.2:1-5; Matt. 5:1-13-16
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
LET
YOUR LIFE BE THAT LIGHT AND SALT NEEDED IN OUR DARK AND TASTELESS SOCIETY TODAY
Reflecting on the ugly situation in our
families, societies and the world at large, especially in our country today where
life has become short, brutal and hopeless, no money in circulation, no
fuel, no light, no food, no water, no
good roads, no one thing to be proud of in this country, little wonder we experience
so much wickedness and hatred around us and we all seem to be keeping quiet
about it. Now we all have to face the realty before us, both small and great,
rich and poor, learned and unlearned, young and old, good and bad, holy and
sinful. Because, we have lost our
dignity as God’s chosen people who are called to be light and salt to the hearts
of humanity who are consumed in darkness of greed, corruption and sinful things of this passing
world.
Hence, today being the fifth Sunday in
Ordinary Time Year A, our attention is
drawn towards the very essence and nature of our lives as Christian and our mission
in the world. This is well illustrated with the theme of LIGHT and SALT.
For in our Gospel passage today we heard from Jesus the famous parable of the salt of
the earth and the light of the world. When Jesus taught this parable, his
audience were composed of Israelites the chosen people of God, who possessed
the Word of God and ought to be salt and light in the world but have failed.
So, gradually, throughout his teaching, Jesus tried to deepen these idea of
salt and light to each one who decided to follow him. He wanted them to
understand the grace and purpose of their mission in the world.
That is why during our baptism we are given
salt as a sign of God’s life in us and are commanded never to lose or forget
the life and joy that God has given us to share with others. In a similar way,
we are given candle light which we are to kept brightly burning as a flame of
faith in our hearts as we journey with others towards our heavenly kingdom.
Therefore, every Christian is called by God
to influence the world around them positively, just like St. Paul in our second
reading, when the said: I came among you in great ‘fear and trembling’ and in
my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that
belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I
did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the
power of God. So when Jesus used the illustrations of salt and light, he was
pointing out what our lives as his disciples should be. And as we know both
salt and light have properties which have great effect on things around them.
No doubt the scriptures contains different
references to salt. Often times it is used metaphorically to signify
permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.
Salt as we know is used to enhance flavor, it preserves, purifies things, salt
distinguishes Identity, adds Values to things, it’s inexpensive but valuable,
necessary for life, it is a basic identity of believers, it is either we use it
or lose its effects. Thus, to be salt means to deliberately seek to influence
the people in our lives by showing them the unconditional love of Christ
through good deeds.
Also, light in the scriptures is a symbol
used to mean awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Light clarifies,
Illuminates, Inspires, defeats darkness, shines brightly and freely, it guides,
stimulates and motivates, provokes action, it irritates those in darkness,
confirms truth, purifies and exposes sin. Light makes us warms and assures us
of safety and also facilitates progress. Hence, to be light means to be a
witness to others concerning the truth of God's Word and love for humanity.
Consequently, Jesus clearly defines the role
of Christians in the world as that of salt and light. Salt to preserves the
faith and give flavour to human life. Light to illuminates darkness and
reflects the glory of God. However, most of us Christians have failed to
appropriate these benefits, privileges and responsibilities of being salt and
light to humanity. As a result, many people suffer because we have failed to be
the light and salt in our dark and tasteless societies and families. For we
have continued to embrace the things of this passing world and are spoiled by
its destructive ways. We have gotten that we are the salt of the earth. But if
salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing,
and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. We have gotten that
we are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.
Dear friends, the questions before us today are: Are we still the light of his
world? Are we still the salt of this country? Are we still the light of our
societies and offices? Are we still the salt of our families, organizations and
institutions we find ourselves? If the answer is yes, how come we have not been
able to illuminate our families, our societies and our country that are sinking
into deep darkness of sin, corruption and greediness? How come we have failed
to give that taste of love, joy,
goodwill, integrity, honest, holiness, compassion to our tasteless and corruption families, societies and our country Nigeria where life has
become short, brutal and hopeless, no money in circulation, no fuel, no light, no food, no water, no good roads.
Why have we failed to be the salt and light
of this nation? Why have chosen to mingle
with darkness? Why have we chosen to remain silent and lose the sweet taste of
love and goodwill God has given us. Is it the case that Christians are not
involved in making policies in our societies and the implementations of those
policies? I don’t think so, for I know
we are involved, but we have gotten who we are, so we have been thrown out to
be trampled underfoot by men of darkness and lawlessness.
So, the core message today is that each and
every one of us as disciples and followers of Christ the Lord must be ready to
do and be what he has taught and commanded us to be. If we call ourselves
Christians and yet we are incapable, unwilling or fail to do or be what we have
been called to be, how can we be that salt or light then? Are we not like the
hypocrites who believe in one thing and yet act in a different manner?
Remember, if we lose the value and taste of who we are, the world will trample
upon us because we will be good for nothing.
But, how can we then live our lives so that
we may truly reflect God’s light and
relevant salt in our dark and tasteless society? It is by doing what we heard
in our first reading today taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah (
58:7-10), where we are told to share our joy, happiness and blessings with
others. We have to stand up and speak out in the midst of injustice and
corruption. We have to stand and uphold the truth of our faith no matter what.
We have to do the best within our capacity by utilizing our gifts and talents,
using them to touch others people’s lives through our sincere and genuine show
of love, care and concern for one another, so that our light may illuminate the
path of others who are still dwelling in the darkness of uncertainty and sin. Therefore,
let our presence bring happiness and joy in the life of people around us who
are suffering and tasting for love and compassion.
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