THEME: “THE CHRISTIAN: THE SALT AND LIGHT THE WORLD NEEDS” (FIRST READING: IS.58:7-10; RESPONSORIAL PSALM PSM. 111:4-9; SECOND READING 1 COR. 2:1-5; GOSPEL ACCLAMATION JN 8:12; GOSPEL MATT. 5:13-16)
REV. FR. PLACIDUS ONWUBIKO
Reading through the opening pages of the Scriptures, one immediately notices that the very first gift of God to the earth, which was a formless void covered with darkness, is the gift of light (cf. Gen. 1:3). Amidst all the benefits of light, one finds out that its importance rests mainly on visibility and guidance. Every culture appreciates light. What a joy it is for humanity to rise in the morning and first be greeted with the rays of the morning sun. This joy resounds even louder in the “Up NEPA” holler of a typical Nigerian who rarely experiences a steady light in his/her incandescent bulbs.
Religiously, it is one of the oldest and most important symbols. In fact, it is the central symbol of Christianity. God is not just the giver of light nor the source, but He is light. St. John in his first letter makes evident this fact when he wrote, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5). In exhorting his disciples to be of good conduct, moral and firm in faith, Jesus, the Son of God and “perfect copy of his nature” (Heb. 1:3) and the true light who enlightens everyone (cf. Jn. 1:9), uses the concept of light to address his disciples, saying, “You are the light of the world ”.
Along with the symbol of light, today’s gospel reading from the evangelist Matthew also presents Jesus using the symbol of salt preceding that of light to address his disciples, thus: “You are the salt of the earth. Salt has a variety of natural qualities and uses in the ancient world. It was so important that it was used as a medium of exchange in commercial ventures across the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic seas. Hitherto, salt has provided us with a lot of benefits in its utility to preserve meat and fish so as to slow down their decay in a locality without a refrigerator. It is essential in the diet of human beings and other warm-blooded animals. It is used as a means of purification. It is also used for therapeutic means and, most importantly, serves as flavor. Bearing in mind all the benefits and importance of these two elements, Christ uses them metaphorically for his disciples to urge them to be firm in good works so that the world may see their works and give glory to God.
Today, this gospel reading, which presents the admonishment of Jesus to be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world,” challenges us in our vocation as Christians. It once more makes us reassess why we are so and how we can be such. The oracle of Isaiah in the first reading gives us an answer that is evident in good works such as sharing bread with the hungry, making a home for the homeless, and clothing the naked. It goes further to reiterate that when we do all these, our light will shine in the darkness. The psalmist of today still rings out the good conduct emphasized by Isaiah as a paean for the upright. In the second reading, as a light to the Gentiles, St. Paul reminds the faithful in Corinth of how they received the true light through him by his proclamation of the Word of God, not in lofty words or wisdom. He remained a salt to them by strengthening and preserving their faith so that it might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
When we were baptized, we received the light of Christ with the exhortation to always walk as children of light. Specifically, our baptism, therefore, reminds us that we, just as Christ our savior brought light to our world, should be heralds and bringers of that light into the darkness of our world. Our world today is in constant experience of the darkness of sin in its many facades. Such overwhelming darkness is found in terrorism, oppression of the poor, injustice, moral decay, individualism, hatred, etc. Having been urged to be the “salt of the earth,” we are, therefore, meant to preserve the faith of the faithful, purify the thoughts and actions of those who conduct their affairs ungodly, heal the sick among us, and add taste to the lives of the hopeless, downtrodden, and droop-spirited in faith so that they may be reawakened and remain firm in faith through our good works. Just like “light to the world,” we are meant to open the eyes of the world to the truth and guide them to the right path of salvation, which is Christ, “the way, the truth, and the life” (cf. Jn. 14:6).
Christ, the true light of the world, said that whatever we do for the least of his brethren, we do unto him (Mt. 25:40). His promise for our good works is an entrance to the home of his Father, which is the very wish and hope of every faithful (cf. Ps. 27:4). May we remain firm in faith through the grace of God to shine forth our light through our good works, for “faith without good works is dead” (Jas. 2:17). We continue to pray then that we don’t lose our saltiness, for losing our saltiness would be portraying that we were never salt at all. Even when, through human frailty, our soul experiences the darkness of sin, may we approach him who is all light in the sacrament of reconciliation so that our light will once more shine brighter until, by His grace and through good works, we will be granted a place in the eternal kingdom of God, where we shall experience no darkness but the sweetness and fullness of life and the eternal light of God. Amen!
Peace be with you!
