By Fr. Dennis Chriszt, C.PP.S.
You are salt of the earth.
You are light of the world.
I don’t know about you,
but I can understand how Jesus could be
salt of the earth and light of the world,
but the disciples?
but me?
He must mean someone else!
How could those who denied him,
those who hid behind locked doors once he was crucified,
those who doubted his resurrection
be salt of the earth or light of the world?
How could you,
how could I be salt of the earth or light of the world?
Isaiah seems to have an answer.
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them.
Jesus gives us the same answer
some twenty chapters later in Matthew.
When I was hungry…
when I was thirsty…
when I was naked…
when I was a stranger…
when I was ill or in prison…
you came to my aid.
Being salt of the earth
and light of the world
isn’t as hard as it might seem.
We are not called to stand out in the crowd,
to stand on the street corner and preach,
we are simply called to see Christ in those most in need.
When we recognize Christ in others
we become salt of the earth
and light of the world.
My salt goes flat
and light is hidden
when I walk by those in need,
when I fail to help someone I could have helped.
As I write this,
I feel a bit guilty
for not doing all I could do
for those in need.
These readings remind me of the need I have
for God’s grace to make me more salty,
to brighten up my light.
Yet I know that grace comes
each and every time I eat his body
and drink his blood.
May these nourish me more and more
so that I might be salt of the earth
and light of the world.
To view the full scripture reading, click here.
Fr. Dennis Chriszt, C.PP.S., is the director of advanced formation for the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He also directs Precious Blood Parish Missions.