Readings: Is. 58:7-10; Ps. 112; 1Cor.2:1-5; Matt. 5:1-13-16
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SALT OF EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD?
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 light, no food, no water, no good roads, not much to be proud of in this country. Every day 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 reality 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 the darkness of greed, corruption and sinful things of this passing world.
Hence, today our attention is drawn towards the very essence and nature of our lives as Christians and our mission in the world. This is well illustrated by the theme of light and salt.
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 consisted of Israelites, the chosen people of God, who possessed the Word of God and were expected to be salt and light in the world, but had failed. So, gradually, throughout his teaching, Jesus tried to deepen these ideas 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. Similarly, we are given candlelight which we are to keep 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 a great effect on things around them.
No doubt the scriptures contain different references to salt. Oftentimes it is used metaphorically to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification. Salt, as we know, is used to enhance flavour, 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, irritates those in darkness, confirms truth, purifies and exposes sin. Light makes us warm 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 preserves the faith and gives flavour to human life. Light 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.
This is because we have continued to embrace the things of this passing world and are spoiled by its destructive ways. We have forgotten 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 forgotten that we are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop 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, organisations, and institutions we find ourselves in? 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 the deep darkness of sin, corruption and greediness?
How come we have failed to give that taste of love, joy, goodwill, integrity, honesty, holiness, compassion to our tasteless and corrupt families, societies and our country Nigeria where life has become short, brutal and hopeless, no money in circulation, no jobs, no light, no food, no water, no good roads.
Why have we failed to be the salt and light of this nation? Why have we 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 implementing those policies? I don’t think so, for I know we are involved, but we have forgotten 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 differently? 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 the cost.
We have to do the best within our capacity by utilising our gifts and talents, using them to touch other 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 to the lives of people around us who are suffering and yearning for love and compassion.
LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we struggle every day to truly carryout the mission entrusted to us, give us the grace and courage to dedicate ourselves, our time, our energy and effort to becoming true light and salt in our dark and tasteless families, societies, country and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday.
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