Cycle A - Year II:  

9 February 2014: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Matthew 5:13-16

Witnessing for Christ!

Waking up each morning to the beauty of sun light of a new day makes my day. It gives hope of a new beginning that dispels the darkness of the night.

But how would it be if the sun suddenly stops to give its light one day? It would be chaos and gloom, I think.

Today's Gospel reminds us of certain things that probably we take for granted because they seem common and ordinary. St. Matthew shares with us this more famous discourse of Jesus on discipleship. Jesus used ordinary images in his time, like salt and light, to convey extraordinary truths.

What does salt and light have to teach us about God and his kingdom here on earth? Let us reflect on them.

History books tell us that in the ancient world salt was considered a commodity of value. People traded with it very much like we trade gold and stocks in our present time. But apart from its commercial value, salt more importantly has its intrinsic worth of giving flavor to foods and preserving them from spoiling, especially in hot climate before the invention of electricity and refrigeration.

Jesus used the example of salt to tell his disciples how they were to live in the world. Meaning, as salt purifies and penetrates, so his disciples must be like salt in the world of human society to purify, preserve and penetrate that society for the kingdom of God and of righteousness and peace. As salt of the earth we must preserve our society from getting spoiled by the corruption of sin.

On the other hand, how does the image of light and lamp be an inspiration for the disciples?

Well, before the wonder of electricity, lamps in the ancient world served a vital function by making it possible for people to see and work in the dark. Even to this day lamps continue to provide that purpose in our rural areas that have yet to benefit from electricity.

Our Lord used the example of lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. What does it mean? Well, just as natural light illuminates the darkness and enables us to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom even now in our earthly journey.

Also, "light" is an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. So that God's grace not only illuminates the darkness in our lives caused by sin but it fills us with the spiritual light, joy, and peace of the Lord.

In practical life, our mission as followers of our Lord Jesus is to be the light-bearer of Christ so others may see the truth of the Gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception. Thus, it grants freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek his truth.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!