Matthew 5: 13-16

Jesus said: You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on.

You are like a light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lamp stand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Gospel Reflection

Even as school children, we learn that the word ‘salary’ comes from the theory that the pay Roman soldiers received had a link with the price of salt in the area they served. It would be interesting to see what the exchange rate would have been in this parish!

Particularly in the desert countries; salt is not just a ‘spice’ it is necessary for life – just as necessary as water. With hundreds of uses, many around purification, cleansing and prolonging life. Salt is even acknowledged as being spiritually cleansing and giving protection against the ‘dark’.

There is connection, something very human about salt – the saltiness of tears and sweat – salt flavours our emotions, our life’s journey. Jesus calls us salt; salt of the earth- salt for the earth. We are that precious commodity that God has given the rest of the world. We may be individuals or small communities but Jesus believes that that is enough; enough to make a difference whether through the tears of our compassion or the sweat of our desire to be the change.