Today’s Gospel comes from the Fifth Chapter from the Gospel of Matthew that follows the “blue print” of Jesus’ mission proclaimed in the Beatitudes. The meaning and purpose of the Beatitudes is that they must be put into action, they must be seen to be lived because only through them we will experience true and authentic happiness in life. Therefore, the Gospel reminds us that it is essential for the Christian disciple both to be seen and heard. Christianity is not a private religion. I am not just a Christian for me only. Christianity is a vision which is meant to change the world and to become everything God desires for us to be.
Today, Jesus builds on the Beatitudes by reminding us of our vocation and mission as Christians– we are to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. Salt is a staple in many recipes, in many cultures, and it is not easily replaced. Neither pepper nor chili powder, for example, would have the same effect. People want salt to add flavor. Christianity is meant to make a unique contribution to society and culture, even for those who do not believe in Christ. For believers, like that salt shaker on the dinner table, it is indispensable and we can accept no substitutes. 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.
We are called to be the light of the world. Jesus Himself is the light of the world and He calls us to reflect His light as we stay in close relationship with Him and follow Him. It is not enough just to know Him, His teachings, and have some general knowledge of His church. We need to follow Him, to walk as He walked, to love as He loved, to care as He cares, to do as He has done. The way we give off light for others is by following Christ so that they can follow us along the path of light on which Christ Himself is guiding us. We, Christians, are supposed to be like indicator lights on an airport runaway so that the people of the world in the midst of a challenging weather at night don’t crash but can land safely on the Christian runaway of love, peace, compassion, generosity, humility, mercy and perseverance.
This weekend, we have an opportunity, once again, to exercise the call of discipleship as the salt and light to the world to support the efforts of the ministry of Fr. Pervaiz and the local church of the Diocese of Faisalabad in Pakistan. Please listen attentively to his message, as he offers an update on the projects we supported him in the past and shares the daily struggles of uncertainties living among Muslims. I find it extremely encouraging to see such a profound witness of the faith in Jesus Christ lived out by the faithful in Pakistan. Please find ways to support- either by prayers or financially- the projects and efforts Fr. Pervaiz is responsible to complete, maintain, catechize and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As we announced before, I want to take another opportunity to invite every parishioner to register to participate in the Dream Event on Saturday, February 15 at 10:00 am at the church. The Dream Event is one of the first events in the Dynamic Parish initiative. I want to begin by inviting all of our parishioners- younger and older- to start dreaming again. I want to invite them to dream about their lives, their families, their friendships, and the future of our faith community. I sincerely believe that dreaming is the first step towards sustainable parish renewal. I pray to see all of you at the Dream Event!
Let us open ourselves to receive all God plans for us to be, so that our whole life might glorify God and we may become difference makers that bring flavor and enhance taste and shine brightly as disciples of Jesus Christ.