Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the
earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is
no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are
the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after
lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it
gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before
others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in
heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)
Introductory Prayer: Father
of love, source of all blessings, you have led me throughout my life, and you
lead me still. Thank you for your paternal care. Jesus, Son of God, you died
for me on the cross to pay for my sins and manifest your unconditional love for
me. Thank you for showing me the way home to the Father. Holy Spirit, sweet
guest of the soul, you heal me and strengthen me and set me on fire from the
most intimate depths of my soul. Thank you for your loving presence within me.
Petition: Lord, show me
where I can make a difference.
1. The New Flavor of the Gospel: By calling us “the salt of the earth” Jesus meant that all his
disciples, all those who would be called ‘Christians’ down through the
centuries, would have the responsibility to work to give the new ‘taste’ of the
Gospel to the earth and enlighten the whole world with Jesus’ teaching. Salt
enhances the food we eat by accenting the natural flavor already present in the
food. In like manner, we are called by God to enhance the world around us with
the “saltiness” of our Christian lives. God created the world good, but sin has
marred it. Through baptism God gives us the “salt” of his divine life – grace –
so that, in turn, this grace of baptism will develop into a life of virtue and
Christian charity by which we are called to “season” our environment. Do I have
this awareness and desire which springs from my baptism?
2. Enlightening Minds and Hearts: Without light we are blind. The human eye is rendered useless
where light is unable to penetrate. Analogously, all people have the power to
know God who is truth, goodness and love. But without the particular light that
is Jesus Christ, those faculties are clouded at best. Jesus wants you and me to
be his light in contemporary society. By the way we live our life other people
must see: They must see Christ.They must see the dignity of the human person and the noble
calling each one of us has to live forever with God. They must see that love
and mercy triumph over evil, suffering and death. The world needs our light
because the world needs Christ.
3. The Shining Example of the Saints: What about humility? What about not letting your right hand know
what your left hand is doing? Jesus reminds us that our lives and actions are
meant to direct people’s gaze to God and not towards ourselves: “So that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” The world has
needed to see Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in action. It has needed to see
the youthful vigor and the aged frailty of the late Pope John Paul II. Their
light has illumined our path towards God. This side of heaven, we will always
need the example of the saints, and that is precisely what you and I are called
to be.
Conversation with Christ: Lord,
you have given me everything I need to be faithful. Grant me also the courage
and the zeal to live what I believe and to testify to your faithful love in my
thoughts, words and actions. Mother Most Pure, make my heart only for Jesus.
Resolution: Today I will speak to someone about Jesus, backing up my words with the
sincerity with which I live my Christian commitments.
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