5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Bullet Points (Matthew 5:1-12)

• Today’s gospel clearly outlines the role of every Christian: each one is called to be the salt and light of the world. But what do these metaphors mean?
• Salt possesses special qualities: 

1. Salt enhances the taste of food. Without it, food would be tasteless—walang ka lasa-lasa! Similarly, Christianity should bring richness and meaning to life. As salt, we are called to be a source of joy, not to be overly serious or dull. Essentially, our role is to spread positivity and make life more enjoyable for those around us.

2. Salt is a common preservative. If we, Christians, are meant to be the “salt of the earth,” then we serve as a preserving force in society. Every Christian should challenge moral corruption, uphold family values, and combat corruption in government and society as a whole. Each follower of Christ should embody the values of decency, generosity, honesty, and fairness in his/her everyday life.

• Moreover, the Lord calls us to be the light of the world, showing the right path and guiding others to follow it, while helping them avoid the way that leads to perdition.
• Today, we can choose to make a difference—to “light a candle rather than curse the darkness.” Remember that even the smallest candle can help illuminate a world of darkness; even a small grain of salt can make a significant difference. –ONZ, OAR