5’th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Gospel Bullet Points / Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

February 5, 2023

  • In today’s Gospel, Jesus very clearly reminds us of who we are and what we should be in this world (our Christian identity): “You are the salt of the earth and light of the world.”
  • Now, what does this mean? In ancient times salt was highly valued. Salt is connected to three special qualities:

a. Salt gives flavor to things. In ancient cultures, salt was the ultimate seasoning that gave taste to food. Without salt food would be tasteless… walang ka lasa-lasa! Christianity is to life what salt is to food. Christianity should lend flavor to life. As salt, we are called to be a source of joy (not KJs–kill joys)

b. Salt in the ancient world was the common preservative. Since there were no refrigerators yet as we have them now, salt was used to keep things from going bad. Food was preserved and kept fresh with salt. So then salt preserves from corruption. If the Christian is to be the salt of the earth, he must be the cleansing and preserving elements of the society – a person whose presence defeats corruption – moral corruption, corruption of family values, even corruption in the government and the society at large. A Christian, if he has to be the salt of the earth is encouraged today to preserve values of decency, sharing, honesty, and fair play.

c) Salt is connected with purity – the whiteness of the salt makes the connection easy. In olden times, it is said that the Romans held that the purest thing of all is salt because it came from the purest of all things – the sun and the sea. A Christian, if he has to be the salt of the earth, should cling to the standard of absolute purity in a speech in all aspects of his life.

  • Moreover, the Lord calls us to be the light of the world. As light, we are called to show the way. As the light of the world, we can guide people and say to them: here is the road, take it. Here is the danger avoid it.
  • But starting today, we can decide to make a difference. We can decide to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. Even the smallest candle helps in a world of darkness. Even a small grain of salt can make a difference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fray Onz Antonio, OAR

Fray Onz Antonio, OAR

Priest/Religious of the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.