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Last week we heard the
beatitudes, the first part of Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. Jesus
reminded his listeners that God's virtues turn our human values upside
down. Today we hear the second part of that wonderful discourse. Jesus
tells the crowd that they are to be the salt of the earth and the light
of the world.
Salt purifies, preserves, and adds flavor. This is what a follower of
Christ must do. Because we have known and loved the Lord we must keep
his message pure. There can be no compromise with the values of
the world. Salt preserves, it gives strength to other foods. In the same
way we are to preserve and strengthen one another. We are not in this
alone we succeed or fail with one another. Salt also gives flavor.
Without salt so many foods taste flat. The Lord tells his listeners that
without the salt of their example life is boring and tasteless. People
need to experience the joy and flavor of Christ in our lives.
Jesus reminds his followers that they are the light of the world. Light
is all about being able to see. We are to be the light by which others
see Christ. Our light cannot just shine in church. Our brothers and
sisters in the church already know the Lord. Our light is to shine in
the world so that people who look at us may see the good works that
Jesus calls us to do. These good deeds should give glory to the Lord and
not to us. The challenge the Lord gives us is not to think about all
that we have done, but to think about all the opportunities the Lord has
given us to love and serve.
Our upcoming Small Faith Groups session ties into this reading
beautifully. In a small group we can experience being salt and light for
one another. We have an opportunity to share our experiences of the Lord
with others who know and love him as well. Small Faith Groups reminds us
that we are called to bring our faith to the world.
Once again the commitment is only for six weeks, which runs concurrently
with the Lenten Season. If you have not signed up for a Small Faith
Group in church, call the rectory and sign up today. Experience
the salt and light of our parish community. Let your own light shine!
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