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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…” Matthew 5:13–14
Every Christian has two primary duties in life. First, we must
strive for personal holiness. And second, we must work to help
others achieve this same degree of holiness. This is what it means
to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”
Consider salt. Salt is a preservative, and it also adds flavor to
food. It does so by entering the food and, in a sense,
disappearing. So it must be with us. First, our Lord must enter our
lives and preserve us from the corruption of sin. But as He does
so, He will also bring out our goodness in a way that the “flavor”
of holiness is evident to others. In this way, we will be used as
salt for others. This is especially done by our works of
charity.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux said in her autobiography, “I see now that
true charity consists in bearing with the faults of those about us,
never being surprised at their weaknesses, but edified at the least
sign of their virtue.” She believed that this was especially the
way we act as salt and light to others. We help to preserve others
from sin by being merciful to them when they are weak. We enrich
their lives by seeing their goodness and rejoicing in it. And we do
so in a hidden way. By our gentleness and compassion, our kindness
and mercy, we preserve others and help them to grow in God’s
abundant grace. And we do so, many times, without them even
realizing how God used us.
Consider, also, light. The world in which we live is oftentimes
quite dark and despairing. There is corruption all around us and
temptations abound. Thus, the light of Christ must be made manifest
far and wide. Those all around us need to see clearly the path to
holiness and happiness. Again, this is possible if we first work to
become light itself. Christ, the true Light of the World, must so
permeate our lives that we find it almost automatic to shine
brightly in a fallen world. When Christ is alive in us, we will
radiate joy and peace, calm and conviction, moral goodness and
determination. And when we live this way, we will not have to
“impose” the Gospel on others; rather, God's light will simply
shine and be a beacon of hope to those who come into our
presence.
Reflect, today, upon these two missions in life. First, ponder your
call to holiness. How does God want to bring light into your own
life, preserve you from all sin and add spiritual flavor for holy
living? Second, who does God want you to love with His love? Who
needs hope and joy, mercy and kindness, words of wisdom and
encouragement? Be holy and then allow that holiness to shine forth
to others and you will indeed be the salt of the earth and the
light of the world.
My Jesus, the true Light of the World, please shine brightly in
my life so that I will see clearly and will be preserved from the
darkness of sin. As You fill me with Your light, please use me as
an instrument of Your love and mercy to a world filled with chaos
and confusion. Dispel the darkness, dear Lord, and use me as Your
instrument as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: The Messiah gives the New Law by Lawrence OP, license CC
BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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