After pointing out to his disciples in the Beatitudes the indispensability of the inner dispositions like poverty in spirit, cleanness of heart and hunger for justice, Jesus reveals to them their dignity, and responsibility, in society as “salt of the Earth” and “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16).
Salt, no mere flavoring
THE metaphor of being salt of the Earth does not mean being merely like a flavoring for food (Job 6:6), but something that purifies persons and things (Exodus 30:35; Ezekiel 16:4). Salt fertilizes the soil (Luke 14:35), and preserves from decay. In reference to the disciples of Jesus Christ, it means certain quality and definite consistency for the benefit of the Earth, and contributing to the enhancement of humanity. To have a valuable mission, to make a substantial difference in being of service to others is what is here emphasized, not some passing fancy or superficial cosmetic.
If salt loses its natural properties, that is if Christians are untrue to their own nature, they would be irrelevant to humanity, “no longer good for anything but to be thrown out.” To fail in their mission in the world to share with all the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, is to be useless, to be despised and gotten rid off like the tree without good fruit (Matthew 7:19) or the worthless fish in the net (Matthew 13:48-50). If instead of announcing and witnessing to all the imperative of conversion to Christ, and instead of opposing the forces of evil the Christians themselves adopt the spirit of the world, they would be rejected by the very world they should have helped to change.
Children of light
Two Sundays ago, we were presented of Jesus as “the great light” that shone on those living in darkness (Matthew 4:12-16), and the recent feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple has Simeon recognizing and proclaiming Jesus as “light to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32), the messianic dawn and coming of the “light for the nations” making God visible to humankind (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6). Now, the followers of Jesus are called through their baptism and confirmation to be bearers of this messianic light, and to live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-14)—like the moon reflecting the light of the sun. As the light of the world, they must not be hidden, just as a city on a hilltop cannot but be visible. Or like a lamp that is placed on a stand precisely to have it cast its glow on those in the house. The mission of Christians in this one world we live in is to be a source of light to all, however difficult and frustrating it may be.
The above similes of salt and light bring out the ecclesial concern that the faithful be true to their high calling in this world all together. No one, however charismatic, can do it alone, and be the light of the world or the salt of the Earth. One isolated candle cannot cast much light, but individual lights burning in all the houses make a community built on a hill very noticeable, indeed, and cannot be disregarded, pushing darkness away and reflecting the divine source, the light that shows the way to all.
Alálaong bagá, the Gospel of Jesus proclaimed and lived wholeheartedly can set the world ablaze. The present-day gloom in many de-Christianized nation in the world, where the lamps have been extinguished or allowed to flicker out, or in places where the light has not yet been ignited, makes the baptismal vocation of every Christian urgent and vital. The lighted candle we were handed at baptism, to be kept burning bright, is our life-long symbol of our world mission. The work of evangelization is incumbent upon all followers of Jesus. And it is by our lives in conformity with our faith that we draw others to Jesus. We must humbly be “before others,” having our light shining brightly so that others can see our witnessing and come to glorify God. Shunning self-seeking or triumphalist ostentation (Matthew 6:1), we spread the light of the gospel in the authenticity of our Christian lives.