My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Jesus calls us in the Gospel today: “You are the salt of the earth, and you are the light of the world.” How can we become the salt and the light of the world nowadays?
If we think through about who we are, we should confirm one thing that makes us so special, so precious: That we are called the children of God, or the children of light. These words “salt” and “light” are real titles of honor, and of the greatest distinction. Christ is putting his true follower almost on a level with himself. He was the light of the world; he was the salt of the earth. He gave human beings the knowledge of the true nature of God, through the Incarnation. He gave this life its flavor, its meaning, its preservation. By his death and resurrection, he took away the sting of death and removed its eternal corruption, through the guarantee and promise of a resurrection to an eternal life.
Indeed, when we became disciples of Jesus through Baptism, we received his Word with great joy. We received the light from Christ; and we were anointed to become the royal priesthood, holy people. We became the light that needs to shine. We became the salt of the earth, the “good salt.” We literally put a “good taste” in the mouth of those who are hungry for God’s love. If, however, we fall away from Jesus, we are in darkness and go flat. We become hurting people in which our light has died and our salt is degraded. The enemy takes advantage and uses our “flat” lives to trample people underfoot.
Therefore, we should put on Christ, stick with Christ and be closer to Christ. We have light because of him. We have the taste of salt because of him. And we can shine and give taste to life only because of Him, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus said: “You can’t do nothing without Me.” You and I have seen that human life on earth is short. The demands of our Christian life may not always be easy, but we know that if we live up to them, we are other Christs. We are continuing his great work by our own good example to our neighbor, and we are giving glory to God, earning for ourselves the eternal light of heaven.
In short, we are Christians, we are reborn in Christ along with His mission, the mission of becoming the light of the world and salt of the earth. We should ask ourselves this week: “Am I the light of our society? Am I the salt of my brothers and sisters?” May the light of Christ give us more light, and the salt of Christ give us more flavor.
With love,
Fr, Thuong Hoai Nguyen, Pastor