Gospel – Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

“Shine brightly and be salty!” Keeping it simple can at times seem blasphemous. It does keep our attention none the less.

We often hear Jesus referred to as “The Light”. In John’s Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as The Light, and in order to be saved, we must follow The Light, for in it is the truth. We believe that through the Sacraments we receive this Light and are obliged to share it.

Unfortunately, we have been shining a light ONTO others, particularly on their weaknesses. We falsely claim to represent a light of judgment that we have no authority to claim. That’s being “salty” according to my students. The true light, the One Light of Christ is not of judgment; it is of compassion, understanding and love. We are commissioned as disciples to welcome others into the Light, not tell them they are not good enough to be in it! When we use The Light properly, we show the way to a life in Christ, we are beacons of hope for those in despair, or those who have separated from God.

If we recognize that the Grace of the Sacraments burns the Light within us, then where does the salt come from? I propose that our talents and unique attributes are the salt we have received as part of the miracle of our conception and gifting of our soul. We are obliged to use our individuality to be a working part of the Mystical Body of Christ. Our ‘salt” brings flavor, an energy that helps inspire others to come into The Light. Like actual salt, this flavor is good, it can preserve. Like actual salt, too much can ruin, and even dry up what it comes in contact with in abundance. This is where humility is necessary. We control our salt, and leave room for others to bring theirs to the table.

In the face of so much intolerance and divisiveness, our society is shining too many lights of judgement, and spreading far too much salt of pretense and confrontation. As disciples, we must not fall prey to this unnatural condition, but rather act, speak and pray for the courage to shine brightly and share the Good News as our chosen message.

Ms. Christine Russo
Saint Raymond’s High School for Boys – Bronx, NY

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.