Epiphany
February 4, 2017
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it give light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven. –Matthew 5:13-14
Can you image a life without salt? Yes, we are encouraged to limit our salt intake but not eliminate it. Salt is essential for life. Never in my lifetime do I remember a time when I felt the need for the saltiness of Christ to be sprinkled throughout our world then I do now. We hold the salt shakers.
People are angry and afraid, dealing with changes that may be good but are scary. People are lashing out at many wrong things unwilling to face the real issues of our time. I learned in Sunday school this week that the seven deadly sins identified in the Catholic faith are prioritized with pride being the worst sin. I think my class felt that greed had perhaps overtaken pride as being the worst. Both are rampant, neither support well our call to love one another as both establish a hierarchy of personhood that is not of God.
Can you image a life without light? Our totally blind brothers and sisters in Christ live without light so we know it is possible. The blind benefit from the light others channel to them through audio books, public transportation, and training guide dogs. The light Jesus is talking about in our scripture today is what I might call soul light through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We benefit others by sharing soul light in love.
Prayer: Lord, make us salt make us light in these challenging times. Amen.