In our gospel for today, the Lord uses two metaphors to describe how we, as His followers, are to live out our lives.
First, Jesus says we are to be the salt of the earth. The reason people use salt is to add flavor to the food they are preparing to eat. Without salt, the food will taste bland or flat. We, as followers, are called to be like "salt" to the world in which we live. We are to bring our love of the Lord to those we meet. In doing so we are making the world a better place. It takes away the blandness and flatness of the world and brings the love of Christ to all we meet. We are to live out our Christian lives so that it's evident that we are followers of Jesus Christ. By bringing the love of Christ to those we touch each day, we are helping those around us to know the love that Christ has for everyone. That's how we are to be the "salt of the earth."
This is tied into us being the "light of the world." When people see us and how we behave, can they see that we are Christians, followers of Christ? Our faith and how we live needs to be shining examples of the love that Christ has for everyone. By seeing us, people should be seeing the love that Christ has for everyone. Much like a light bulb emanates light for all to see, we are to be the light of Christ's love for everyone.
This reminds me of the hymn from a number of years ago, "They'll know we are Christians by our love." By showing love to everyone, we will be like the salt bringing the "flavor" of Christ love to all we meet.
As Saint Paul says in our first reading from the 2nd letter to the Corinthians, let us always say "yes" to bringing the love of Christ into this world to bring us greater peace and joy.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteAMEN. I agree with everything you wrote. I think one way that I bring the love of CHRIST to everyone (or at least TRY) is that I smile a lot. I once read a pamphlet that referred to an "apostolate of smiling". I remember our beloved Father Roch at Mount Alvernia telling me on more than one occasion that I have "the gift of joy". I LOVE "THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE" from the late 1960s & the Ecumenical movement. Also, at an Adult Confirmation at the Sunday noon Mass on Pentecost last Sunday our final hymn was "TAKE THE WORD (LOVE, JOY) OF GOD WITH YOU AS YOU GO". I try to be always mindful that I am representing CHRIST & my Catholic Christian faith in everything I do.
One other idea about SALT that I have learned from various preachers on Christian radio & TV is that SALT is a PRESEVATIVE. In Biblical times salt was used the way refrigeration is used nowadays, to prevent meat from going bad.
To be Christ like is something to strive for every day. As mere mortals, we often, sadly fail in this as we can be bitter herbs towards others and not the flavorful spices that benefits all.
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