Tuesday 10th Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to hear your words and understand them. Plant your word deep in my heart so that I bear good fruits of truth, goodness, and beauty in my walk as your disciple. May I always give glory to you and not myself.
Encountering Christ:
0. Discipleship Manual: This Gospel passage is from the Sermon on the Mount. We will hear from the Sermon on the Mount for the rest of the week. In this famous sermon, Jesus appeared as a new Moses who gave a deeper meaning of God’s law to his disciples. He taught about the disposition of the heart and the new level of morality that he expects from his followers. These were formation lessons for his disciples. During the Gospel readings this week, listen closely for Jesus’ instructions for discipleship and how to live a truly Christian life. We could think of it as a discipleship manual.
1. Salt to Bring Out the Best: Part of the role of a Christian disciple is to make the world a better place for others. The places where we live and work should be more peaceful and happy as a result of the good fruits of virtue that we bring with us. Salt is a seasoning that brings out the distinct flavors of foods. As Christ’s disciples, we can strive to help bring out the best in others. We can ask ourselves if we set a good example by being cheerful, trustworthy, helpful, and kind. When we seek to live a life of virtue and gently encourage others to do likewise, we live out our call to be the salt of the earth.
2. Light to Shine for Christ: Being the salt of the earth helps to bring out the best in others. To be the light of the world means to shine Christ’s light to all through works of mercy and love. This shining light is not our own, but borrowed from Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12). It is the Holy Spirit’s fire burning inside us, illuminating the world around us with God’s truth, goodness, and beauty. Do we bring the light of Christ to others by speaking with truth and charity? Are we cheerful in service, therefore bringing the light of Christ’s joy to all situations? It is helpful to remember that our light and joy does not come from our own inner stores, but shines forth from Christ who dwells in us. It is his light, not our own, that radiates to others (see Galatians 2:20).
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I praise and thank you for your teaching. It encourages me to serve you with my whole heart. I am sorry for the times when I have failed through my sins and have allowed my salt to be “trampled underfoot” and my light to be put “under a bushel basket.” Please fill me with the joyful purpose of being your salt and light for the people in my life.
Resolution: Lord today by your grace, I will pay attention to the times when you are calling me to be your salt by bringing out the best in others and when you are calling me to be your light by bearing your truth, goodness, and beauty to different situations.
REFLECTION
In today's Gospel Jesus suggests, "Such as these (the poor, the hungry, those who mourn, who are merciful, etc.) they are light to the world, salt of the earth." Jesus here uses light and salt as symbols indicating two of the primary services Christians offer to the world. Light brightens something other than itself. Salt seasons and preserves something other than itself. The Christian's life throw light not upon him or herself, but upon the values of Christ so that the world can see them, and seasons these values so that the world will recognize how attractive
they are.
The great danger, however, is that Christians will be corrupted by the values that the world loves and pursues. Capitalism, materialism, consumerism - are values the world extols and propagates and insinuate themselves into Christian living. Christians, perhaps without realizing it, assimilate popular cultural values. Gradually their lives focus on the acquisition of more and more wealth and the latest status symbols. Their lives can no longer be identified as Christian except in terms of vocabulary and ceremony. But you, "your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
Reflection: (6/9/2013)
In the gospel, Jesus speaks about salt and light. How does this Word apply to us? First we must remember one thing - no one exists for himself alone and so everything here on earth exists for a purpose. We Christians exist for a purpose, which is to be salt and light.
Salt does not exist for itself but to give flavor to food. Without salt, we don't enjoy the taste of our food. It dissolves in the food or soup it is mixed with, and walla! the food tastes great! Therefore salt is very important. Same as light. Without light, we cannot move around because we cannot see anything. So light has a very important mission - to illuminate the world. And why are these elements so important in our world today? Because many people live in darkness, they do not know what they are living for. When something goes wrong in their lives, they don't understand what is happening. Someone must enlighten them. Others' lives are tasteless, meaning they are so bored with the same daily routine, to see the same wife and children every day and so they go about their daily lives like zombies. They need spice in their lives and this is where salt comes in.
Jesus did not come for himself but in order to save man from his sins, his darkness, his boredom, etc. So he offered his life for our salvation and now we live in a world redeemed by his blood. With Jesus guiding us, we can be salt and light to others. In front of trials and sufferings, we do not despair but continue to trust in God. In fact we become stronger in our faith. We are also called to be holy in a world where the mere mention of being pure, chaste, kind, generous, self-giving and austere is often ridiculed. We need to be lights shining brightly for all men to see our good works.
REFLECTION 2017
In the first reading Paul reminds us that his preaching and that of his co
followers of Christ were all centered on Christ himself and strengthened by God's grace and Spirit.
In the Gospel reading Jesus reminds his followers of their lofty calling, to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." But in order to be "salt," his disciples must be ready to die for others, that Jesus may be born in them. And to be "light," the disciples must publicly bear true witness to Christ in word and in deed. As needed, followers of Christ should be ready to stand against and speak up against injustice and oppression.There are countless ways of being salt and light: we
should implore God to help us discern every day how we can be salt and light to our fellows. God's help will help us to be effective salt and bright light for others; God's help will also teach us to give glory to God through our lives.
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