LIGHT IS ITS OWN PROOF: SALT AND LIGHT
Introduction
We read that during the communist regime in Poland, only a dozen or so Catholic secondary schools for girls remained under the direction of religious sisters. They had to follow the state program without any religion. When asked whether there was still any sense in their work, a sister directress answered: “We stay with the girls, we are a presence among them. If we try to be good Christians, we automatically let the light shine. Light is its own proof. One has not to talk about it.” Her words echo those of Christ in the Gospel. A Christian has not necessarily to preach from a pulpit. Authentic Christian living is a proclamation all by itself. Then even the blind could say: Yes, I can see!
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
your Son asks of every disciple
to be the salt and the light of the world.
Season our lives and words
with the salt of the Gospel,
that all those who encounter us
may taste how good it is
to live in your love
and to work in joy and hope
towards a world and a heaven
of justice, peace and friendship.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord. Amen!
1 Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Brothers and sisters: As God is faithful, our word to you is not “yes” and “no.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135
R. (135a) Lord, let your face shine on me.
Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them. R.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
gives understanding to the simple. R.
I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands. R.
Turn to me in pity
as you turn to those who love your name. R.
Steady my footsteps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity rule over me. R.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes. R.
Alleluia: Matthew 5:16
Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Commentary
Let us take these WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER:
Jesus invites us not to be afraid to live in the world, even if sometimes there are conditions of conflict and sin there. In the face of violence, injustice, oppression, the Christian cannot withdraw into self or hide in the security of his own enclosure; the Church also cannot withdraw into herself, she cannot abandon her mission of evangelization and service. Jesus, at the Last Supper, asked the Father not to take the disciples out of the world, to leave them, there, in the world, but to guard them from the spirit of the world. The Church expends herself with generosity and tenderness towards the little ones and the poor: this is not the spirit of the world, this spreads light, it is salt. (Angelus, 9 February 2020)
Intercessions
– That in the Church, there may be men and women today who show us something of the face of God by their goodness and concern for the poor and the little people, we pray:
– That in our communities, we may be like the salt that preserves among us a sense of service and commitment to one another, we pray:
– That we may not be blind to the needs of the poor and those suffering and help them carry their burdens, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our God and Father,
you give taste to our lives
through the bread and wine of your Son,
for they steep us in his love and faithfulness.
Do not allow us to lose our savour/flavour
but give it more vigour to use it to preserve in this world
the goodness and dedicated love
which you’ve shown us in your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
the words spoken by your Son
have been a light on the path of life
and his body, our source of renewal.
Do not allow us to hide the light
of his self-forgetting, faithful love
but let it shine in us,
that people may see in us
a reflection of his goodness
and give praise to you,
our God, for ever and ever. Amen!
Blessing
“I am the light of the world,” said Christ, and he says of us, too: “you must be, the light of the world.” Let your faith shine and inspire, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!