Today, on the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, a few week before we start the holy season of Lent, we hear a part of the Sermon on the Mount in our Gospel today, as Jesus describes what we should strive toward in our life of discipleship. According to Jesus, we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As disciples of Christ, we are to bring flavor and light to the world around us.
Such images are probably very familiar to us as followers of Christ. Jesus calls us to be a light in the darkness of our world. He calls us to change the flavor of our world, to bring a perspective of faith no matter where we are in our lives.
What is interesting to me, is that both light and salt have a couple of similar characteristic - they don't exist for themselves and they don’t draw attention to themselves. We add salt to something like French fries to enhance the flavor of the food. The salt is not the main food that we are eating. And we put on a light in order to see something else. So, if we are a light in the world, we are to be that light so that it will lead others to Jesus. As Christians, we are to shine as a light not so that others will see us, by that they we see a path to the Lord. We are salt of the earth, so that the values of our faith that we bring to the world will add flavor and will make the world a better place.
We hear the Gospel today in the context of our Diocese’s Catholic Service Appeal. This year’s appeal evokes the image of the Blessed Mother through the theme: My Spirit Rejoices. We are called to look into the face of Mary to see the face of those were serve. Through the Catholic Service Appeal this year, we can indeed be a light in the world. We can indeed be the salt of the earth. Our contributions to the CSA strengthens those who turn to Catholic Charities in our Diocese in their time of need. It reaches out to form leaders in our Diocese who will help our children, youth, and adults grow in their faith. It helps educate future priests and care for retired priests.
Every week, I see our parishioners living out their faith in different ways. We see them touching lives in a variety of circumstances. In who we are and in our reality, we are to let your light shine in the midst of the darkness and brokenness of our world. This Sunday, we will be that light with our Catholic Service Appeal. Any contribution you can make will help a great deal. We will now listen to the year’s Catholic Service Appeal Message from Bishop Kopacz.
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