February 9, 2014

5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time A

Isaiah 58:-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
The focus today is that Christians, since they are God’s People, are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Today’s gospel passage is from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount which is contained in Matthew chapters 5 - 7; the Beatitudes are contained in the first twelve verses followed by today’s passage. I have heard this passage often, preached on it and spent much quiet time on the Sermon on the Mount. Today, I googled ‘salt of the earth’ and was fascinated with the responses: “It means a thoroughly good type....an individual or group considered as representative of the best or noblest elements of society (1350-1400 Middle English)...You and I, as Christians, are called the salt of the earth because our lives enhance and give meaning to this existence we call life....a common hard working man or person. ... The exact meaning of the expression is disputed, in part because salt had a wide number of uses in the ancient world.” Salt was used as money...as fertilizer...as flavoring....as preservative...it was found almost exclusively in the Dead Sea area and really didn’t lose it flavor except when it was polluted with other additives. Living the Word shares more insights, “Salt is almost certainly the oldest seasoning used by the human race. We have archeological evidence of facilities for the refining of salt as early as 6000 BC. Of course, salt was used for more than seasoning; salting was for many centuries the only way we had to preserve food from decay and corruption. Salt was, in fact so valuable that a wider variety of cultures have used it for religious purposes. In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome salt mixed with water was offered to the gods; in ancient Israel, salt was included in grain offerings and burnt offerings; salt was used to purify and to exorcise; but it also symbolized the table fellowship of a shared meal.” This made me reflect even more.
What did Jesus mean when He tells me and His followers that we are the salt of the earth? As with any good metaphor, Jesus is saying a number of things at the same time all which add to my reflection. When I enter Church, I sign myself with blessed holy water. This water is blessed with ritual prayers and with the adding of a few pinches of blessed salt. Why? Salt is a preservative. Baptism is my entry into the Church, the People of God. What spoils me after my baptism is sin. And what preserves me from sin is faith in God’s mercy and the reception of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation. Now if the ‘salt loses its saltiness, it is worthless’ and it does this by being polluted. So I reflect on what pollutes me...what weakens my faith....what makes it easier for me to run the risk of falling back into sin? I cannot ever feel that ‘I’ve got it made’; the devil is always rearing his ugly head to distract me away from the Lord.
What Jesus is telling me today is that I and each Christian have been given a tremendous gift, we have been called: called to be Christ to the world. How am I to do this; by giving my ‘flavor’ to the world. It entails using the gifts and talents from God and through His grace preserve my world from decay and corruption. Am I reading too deeply into this, I don’t think so? If I do not retrain my daily focus on the Lord, I can so very easily turn into myself and lose the desire to foster the self giving love and being in relationship that are the keys of Christian life. I become centered on ‘me’. And Jesus calls me each day to be the light of the world. When each Catholic was baptized, he or she was given a candle lit from the Easter candle that burns brightly at every baptism, during the Easter season and at every funeral. Jesus said that if that candle, which is God’s light’ is placed under a basket, the light isn’t just blocked, it is extinguished, and it dies. I’ve thought about that. I have been given the gift of faith and it should be enflamed with the Lord. If I keep that ‘fire’ to myself it will die, but if I share it with others, it will spread.
Today’s readings give practical advice on the how to’s...Isaiah calls on those who believe in God to show their belief by doing good deeds. He tells me to share my abundance with the hungry, come to the aid of those who are hurting and those who feel hopeless, clothe those who feel they have nothing and do not turn my back on my own. Isaiah says this is when people see the ‘me’ that God graces me to be. He adds, “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and He will say: here I am!” WHY...”Those who allow their faith to change them will feel closer to God and find their lives transformed as if they have come out of darkness into light.”
Paul gives an outstanding example of what it means for a person to ‘be Jesus’ and be ‘right’ with the Lord. Unlike most of the orators in the first century, Paul was not very eloquent and as he states was unable to demonstrate a “sublimity of words or of wisdom.” He came in weakness, fear and trembling and the power of his message was Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” He was filled with awe and wonder in the presence of God and God’s marvelous works. It always was about Jesus to Paul, not about himself. Fr. John Hingsbergen from Franciscan Media sums up the readings and what I am to do as ‘Jesus’ “a) The accomplishments of Christ’s followers are not necessarily extraordinary actions, but simple acts of love and caring. b) Our beliefs and the actions that flow from them can serve as a powerful antidote to hatred and hostility. c) Believers who show their faith through their actions not only serve others, but inspire them to follow Christ and His teachings.” And when I do this, I have done all that I was called to do...I ask God for this grace as I reflect on:

• “How am I salt? Which of the traditional uses of salt—as flavoring, a preservative, an offering—best describes how I see my role as a follower of Jesus?”
  
• How am I letting my light shine? When do I try to hide it or actually hide it?
• What are the things that I would do if I wanted to grow in faith? Do I do these? What kind of people would I associate with? Who would be my faith models?
  
• How do I affect other people’s faith lives? How am I a faith model for the people who come into my life?
  

Sacred Space 2014 shares:

“Jesus reminds me that faith is not a wet blanket on the joys of life, but something that brings zest and spark. I ask Jesus to touch my imagination to show me how my faith can bring color and life to me and those around me.

The salt under foot is wasted; the light under the tub puts itself out. I consider how I might better use my energies for the good of others and for the glory of God.”