Salt and Light

The cook is at the stove preparing something in a pot. Dipping a spoon and offering it, he says: “Try this and tell me what you think.” She tastes it, smacks her lips thoughtfully and says, “Needs salt.” A boy is reading by a window as the evening fades. Mom walks in the room and flips the switch. “You need more light,” she says.

Salt and light are noticed only in their absence. Salt is not noticed at all when the food is tasty; it is hidden. When there is sufficient light, no one looks at the light: no one notices it. We, as disciples of Jesus, are salt and light in the world. No one will notice us if we provide sufficient salt and light to the world.

Light is an enormous help. Without light we would be in the dark. Yet, we shouldn’t exaggerate. Light does much, but it doesn’t bring anything new. When I switch on the light in a dark room full of people and furniture, that light doesn’t create those people or those tables and chairs. Light only shows what is there already. As Christians we may not bring anything new to the world, but surely we reveal the true nature of things and people. That we belong to God, we belong to each other: we all are God's Beloved.

It is in the light of our lives that others can see who they are and what they are capable of being. Like a lover, a friend, or an artist we could reveal in others their physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. We don't create things, we add to their fullness.

But we are not the source of light. We only reflect the true Light that came into the world, the source of all Life. It is in His light that we discover our own depth, width, length, and worth. "O God, in your Light we see Light."

We are gifts to the world. We are here because the world needs salt; it needs more light. We are here to celebrate God and make the goodness of God known in the world.

Gospel passage: Matthew 5:13-16