Called to Be A Light and Salt
Dear Parishioners,
Our first reading comes from third section of the book of Isaiah, that focuses on the exiles who returned home and resettling in their country. There were no political and military threats at the time, however, the moral life of the returnees was not in line with the precepts of the Lord. The increasing moral decay, laxity and infidelity to the covenant moved the prophet to speak against this malaise.
Isaiah challenges his people to get away from empty rituals and fasting that replaced the true spirit of religion. He insists that it is meaningless to fast or perform rituals if one ignores the poor, the hungry, the suffering, the oppressed and the vulnerable. A good spirituality must be a light illuminating everything around it. “then light shall rise for you in darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.”
“Light is the thought that links today’s liturgy of the word. Its meaning is developed in the first and third readings. Paul teaches that the light of Christ has its own power when preached and does not depend on human wisdom.”
The salt and light images speak eloquently to our expected vocation. Salt acts as a preservative and savors food. Light illumines and gives meaning to the surrounding reality. In their lives, Christians are to bring a new vision to a darkened world and are also called to give meaning and enrichment to society. When salt can no longer fulfill its task, it is discarded; the imagery used here is a sign of eternal condemnation.
Like salt, the light image is applied to Yahweh and his truth, the virtuous actions of his people. Just as darkness is equated with sin and the absence of God’s presence, so light is God’s manifestation in the daily life and work of the faithful. Christ becomes visible in his followers. His spirit is perpetuated; his teaching, upheld; his example, followed.
We are often inclined to equate our faith with our knowledge of it, to make study and eloquence a high priority in the Christian life. We can never question our need for an intelligent and skilled deepening of our faith understanding. But in today’s liturgy we are reminded that it is not proficiency which saves. Salvation is the work of God whose action within us is to become transparent in our daily life. It is the proclaimed word, alive within us, that makes us “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth.” (cf. Fr. Roland J. Faley, T.O.R)
Our vocation is to illuminate our community, and give purposeful meaning to the society. “You are the salt of the earth… and your light must shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Darkness is often equated with sin and absence of God’s presence, while light is seen as God’s manifestation in the daily life and work of the faithful. “Jesus is visible in his followers, his spirit is perpetuated; his teaching, upheld; his example, followed.” Therefore, we called not to obscure or deem the light, but in humility; let it illuminate the path in the midst of darkness, pain and sorrow. Be the light!
In His Mercy,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
