OT V [A]: Is 58:7-10; I Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5: 13-16

A mother and her small child once drove past the restored home of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield. It was night and the national shrine was brightly lit. “Look, mama,” the child said excitedly, “Mr. Lincoln has left his lights on.”  Smiling, the mother replied; “Yes, he left them on for the whole world to see.” Although Lincoln has been dead since 1865, he is still a tremendous inspiration to all people. But in a much more true sense Christ, “God from God, Light from Light” remains and will remain to the end the shining beacon for all peoples of all times. Christ has shared his Light with us his disciples and asks us to be what we are: the light of the world.

In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives examples of how we are to allow the light of God to shine through us. “Share your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.  Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (58:7, 10).  The refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps.112), also reminds us of our need to be light for others: “The just man is a light in the darkness to the upright.”

In today’s Gospel Our Lord teaches us that it’s not enough to have his light, or to use it for ourselves. We have to make that light shine and illuminate others as well.

The Christian’s task is to be the salt of society, preserving, reconciling, adding flavor, giving meaning where there is no meaning and giving hope where there is no hope.  Every Christian needs to reflect the light borrowed from Christ and radiate that light in the form of love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness and humble service.

Christianity is meant to make a unique contribution to society and culture, even for those who do not believe in Christ. Salt subtly contributes to many recipes and is only appreciated at times when its absence is noted. It’s meant to blend in and contribute, and we have to make sure it receives the credit it is due. A world without Christianity is like a world without salt, flavorless and prone to spoiling.

Jesus went on to say that, if salt became insipid, it was fit only to be thrown out and trodden on by men.  Usually salt does not lose its flavor and its saltiness.  But when mixed with impurities, salt can lose its ability to enhance flavor.  We, too, might lose our ability to be a “flavoring agent” for the world if we allow “impurities” into our lives (1 Cor 15:33). Therefore, we need to keep ourselves free from sin (Eph 5:3-7), and be positive influence on others.

Christians lend flavor to life by helping people to live correctly and by keeping society wholesome. Just a little light empties the world of darkness.  With a little Faith and love we can light up a big social area and make a tangible impact on the world around us.  

We are bound to do in life what light does in nature.  Firstly, light shows the way to the people. In darkness we miss even a path which we have trodden a many times. Secondly, light helps us to see the beauty and the true value of things. And, thirdly, light makes things grow in nature. Brotherly love will help the light of Christ to grow brighter within the heart of a Christian and around him.

Jesus calls us to integrate our Christian Faith into our daily lives so that our service may be His service to others. So, we make a difference as Christians when we offer ourselves to God, when we proclaim the Good News in word and example, and when we serve others.  God calls us to worship, to witness, and to give.

St. Paul calls the Christians saints. Saints are people who let the light shine through. A little boy was taken by his mother to see a famous cathedral. On the windows were the pictures of various Christians. As he was watching the sunbeams shining through the stained-glass windows, he asked his mother, “Who are those people on the windows?” She said, “They’re saints.” The little boy looked at the windows and said, “Well, now I know what saints are. They are people who let the light shine through.” That little boy got it right.

Do you and I let the light of Jesus shine through our life?

Let’s pray for the grace to shine our light before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.