Meditation
for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Is
58:7-10; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16)
Salt and light are related to the senses of taste and
sight. Salt is used in preservation and to make food tasty. Salt is probably
the cheapest ingredient in meals, yet it is indispensable. It brings out the
taste in the other food ingredients. The good taste it generates gives joy and
fills us with appreciation. In the Bible, salt was added to the grain offering (Lev
2:13). It was mixed with the incense offered at the tent of meeting (Ex 30:34).
Salt was used in ratifying covenant (Num 18:19). It was used to purify and
sanctify. Elisha used salt to sanctify impure water and make it wholesome (2 Kg
2:19-22). Jesus said, “For everyone will be salted with fire” (Mk 9:49).
Light dispels darkness and gives vision to our sight. With light,
we see the beauty around and appreciate them. Then, we can move freely and live
fully. Light was the first thing God created. He said, “Let there be light”
(Gen 1:3). The Israelites were led out of Egypt by the pilar of fire (Ex
13:21-22). Light is a sign of deliverance. God Himself is Light (1 Jn 1:5), and
He is the source of light (Ps 36:9). Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world,
anyone who follows me will not be walking in darkness, but will have the light
of life” (Jn 8:12). To follow the life of Jesus, therefore, is to move from
darkness to light (Eph 5:8-9; 1 Pet 2:9).
Salt and light have their inalienable qualities within
them. Their qualities are not defined by anything external. In other words, by
their very existence they give taste and vision. In addition, they are readily
available and easily accessible to all. Think about the contradiction that
arises when salt loses its taste and light is covered with a bushel. Imagine such
confusion when in the presence of salt there is no taste, and in the presence
of light there is no illumination! This kind of situation will bring shame and
disgrace.
Jesus said to His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth…You
are the light of the world.” The followers of Jesus are to have within them
such quality that brings the kind of effectiveness that salt and light offers.
The first reading describes this inner taste and vision as charity. The second
reading describes it as having the life of Christ within; to be filled with the
power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. It is by instilling charity and love of
God in the world that we become salt and light to the earth. Whatever restricts
our charity is like the bushel that tries to block the illumination of the
light. In the same way, whatever distracts us from the wisdom and power of the
Holy Spirit tries to render our salt tasteless.
Salt and light best describe the kind of impact we are to
bring in the world. These qualities are inherent to us as children of God. They
manifest the inner life we share in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday 5th February, 2023.
