Gospel MT 5:13-16
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. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
Reflection
What are the similarities of salt and light? Salt seasons food and enhances the natural flavor of a food. It makes the food taste better. It can also make you thirsty. Light helps you to see better in the darkness. The position of the light can improve and increase your ability to see farther away from the source. Also, the brighter the light the clearer you can see.
Both salt and light improve the senses. Jesus says to His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth”; “You are the light of the world.” Who are the disciples of Jesus Christ? Whose senses need to improve? How?
Whenever I hear this Gospel, I think of the lyrics to the song, “We Are the Light of the World,” by Jean Anthony Greif. Here are some of the lyrics.
“Blessed are they who are poor in spirit.
Theirs is the kingdom of God.
Bless us , O Lord, make us poor in spirit;
Bless us, O Lord, Our God
We are the light of the world;
May our light shine before all,
That they may see the good that we do and give glory to God.
Blessed are they who are meek and humble.
They will inherit the earth
Bless us, O Lord, make us meek and humble;
Bless us, O Lord, Our God…”
On page 46, in our PAPA Handbook the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-30) are listed. The lyrics of the song above are inspired from the Gospel of Matthew.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples. They are to be salt and light to others, so that others may taste and see Jesus through them.
Let us pray, that our priests can be the salt and light of Jesus for all those they encounter. May they love the Eucharist so much that their love will flavor and enlighten the souls they contact.
Together, let us pray the PAPA Prayer for Priests
