salt and light, who we are 10th week tuesday 2014

Salt is not useful to itself and so it is never valued for its own sake.  Rather salt is valued because of its application on other things.  It puts flavor on food, it acts as a preservative and it is a good conductor of heat.  Light is not useful to itself that is why you do not light a lamp and put it under a basket.  Like salt it is not valued for its own sake.  Rather light is valued because it can light the darkness – we can see and we can be seen when we have light.  Again light is useful because of its application and function. 

By calling us salt and light Jesus is therefore recognizing our function in the world.  We did not become Christians just because we feel happy becoming one.  We did not become Christians and remain Christians just because we are fulfilled in being so.  No.  By calling us salt and light Jesus tells us that we have a function to fulfil in the world.  Our being a Christian has a purpose, a role and more importantly, a task in the world.  Christianity was never meant to be a feel good religion where we can just simply wallow in the peaceful assurance that we are saved and are assured a place in heaven after this life.  Christianity was never meant to build walls so that we can separate them from us.  Going to mass was never meant to feel good about ourselves for having fulfilled a duty and a good.  No.  When we go to mass we ask for fuel that we can better light and dispel the darkness of our communities and workplaces.  When we hear God’s word we pray that we will remain salty, we retain our saltiness, so that we can add flavor and a difference to the world and our surroundings. 

Jesus does not tell us I want you to become salt.  He does not tell us, please become light, make yourself light, make yourself salt.  Again no.  Jesus is simply stating a fact.  You are light.  You are salt.  It is not as if we have a choice to become light or not, or a salt or not.  Salt is our identity.  Light is our identity.  When we become a disciple of Jesus we also become salt and light.  And so we could not just say I am a only a church going Christian.  I confine my religion at home and in Church.  The fact that I am a Christian does nto affect my business decisions, or my work and dealing with people.  But no. We are salt and light.  That is our identity and function.  We make a difference wherever we are.  We bring with us Jesus everywhere and every time.