You Are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

Breakfast With the Word Tuesday 10th Week Ordinary Time 

 

Matthew 5: 13-16 

 

You Are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World.

 

In the gospel, Jesus uses the two most essential and instrument of human needs to elucidate what anyone who follows Him is. While addressing His disciples today, Jesus said 

 ‘You 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. 

He also said:

 

  ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

Therefore, Jesus is telling us our true identity. You Are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World. This is What You Are. 

 

 

What We Are.

 

 

Sometimes as Christians we do not truly understand what we are and who we are. To be a Christian is not necessarily to become rich and popular. 

To be a disciple of Jesus is a decision to be a change to the world and the people around us, just as the disciples today were told by Jesus. 

While referring to the disciples, Jesus did not tell them you will be or you may be but you are. This means being a disciple of Jesus is automatically a decision to be salt and light to others. 

 

 

 

You are the Salt of the Earth.

 

Being salt indicates these 

1. Salt is a preservative. A preservative is a substance that protects food against decay or against micro-organisms. It helps food to stay longer.

 

Therefore, as Christians we have to preserve our christian and biblical virtues. We have to make sure that goodness is promoted and evil is avoided. 

 

As Christians, we do not have to join others in putting down and destroying Christian values. We have to preserve, and promote justice, love, unity and peace. 

 

2. Salt is highly valuable: the Greeks thought that salt contains something divine, and Romans sometimes paid their soldiers with salt. This means that they considered salt as something that is highly valuable. So, salt is not something one can toil with. 

 

 

Therefore, as Christians, we are salt of the earth. You are salt of the earth. You have to be valuable. We bring values to people’s lives and not destroy them. Our call is to show people the true way and not to deceive them. 

Our lives should reflect the image of Christ that people will see and change. 

 

 

3. Salt is a seasoning agent: Salt  gives taste to the food. Therefore, It can destroy some microorganisms to enhance its effectiveness. So, as Christians we are to help in giving people the reason to be hopeful, full of life and strong in faith. Our call is to change lives. We can do this by encouraging them, praying for them and showing people the true way to live.

 

 

 

 You Are A light to the World.

 

Also, Jesus says you are the light of the world, A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. Therefore, you are already on a hilltop and can not be hidden.

 

 The type of life we live whether we know it or not will be reflecting around the people that we meet in life.

Therefore, for us to be a light, let us change the way we live. 1. As light brings joy and vision, we are to be a source of joy and change to the world and not a source of sorrow and hatred. 

 

2. As light dispels darkness, we are to live our life pulling people from the darkness of sin. Where there is evil and hatred, we bring joy and goodness. We are to live our lives touching the lives of those around us.

 

 

Light and Salt 

You are salt of the earth and light of the world. Jesus says you are. He does not say you will or you may but you are. That means, this is what we are as Christians.

 

So, one thing with Light and Salt is that they possess these qualities inborn in them. So, Light and Salt reflect these qualities because they are in them. 

Therefore we can not give what we do not have. In essence, to change the world comes from what we are already. 

Therefore, Let us transform ourselves so that we can transform the world. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not only staying holy, praying daily and going to church, pursuing wealth but involves reaching out, touching souls, transforming, encouraging, teaching, changing and leading people to God. This is our call.

 

So, You are the salt of the earth. Your call is to bring change in the lives of people.

 May God bless you dearest, and give you the grace to live the way God wants. May He never allow you to stumble Amen