“You are the light of the world.”

In today’s readings, we hear about salt and light. Salt is used to season and preserve food. The main effect of light is known to anyone who can see. Light brushes away the darkness so that we can see where we are going and what we are doing.

In our Gospel, Jesus continues His “Sermon on the Mount,” telling His disciples that they are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” They are called to increase the “flavor of desire” for faith in God and to nourish and preserve that faith among the Body of Christ. Jesus’ disciples are also sent to “pierce” the darkness of sin in people’s lives by their preaching, their example, and their care for God’s people. Not only that, but Jesus also shows His disciples through His own actions that whatever they are called to do in His name, to do it with love.

To be joined in love with Jesus means to actively live as He lived, by being Salt and Light for others. Salt is active, and light is active, they are not passive things. Being salt and light for others is what it means to be a disciple of Christ, being a Christian by putting love into the action of charity. Every Christian must strive for personal holiness, but we must remember that to be holy we must be about the task of bringing others to holiness in the One who is holy, Jesus Christ.

Every one of us is called by Christ to strive for holiness by sharing our God-given gifts with others, in some way or another. We are all called to be a positive influence on everyone around us. Jesus is reminding us today, that we are called to be salt and light in each of those relationships. We are called to share with others the meaning, the hope, the forgiveness, and the goodness that we have received from the Lord. This is every Christian’s job. How do we do this? We do it through our personal example. Jesus said, “Your light must shine before others.” He goes on to explain, “That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Salt and light – these are the comparisons Jesus uses to explain our mission in life.

– Bishop Roy Campbell