YOU ARE SALT—YOU ARE LIGHT
Introduction
To show how great Elijah was as a prophet, the Elijah cycle in the book of Kings shows how he rewarded the widow by seeing to it that she did not suffer from the lack of food during the famine. Later he will restore her son to life.
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.
1 Reading: 1 Kings 17:7-16
The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to Elijah: “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.” He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'” She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
Responsorial Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5, 7B-8
R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood? R.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence. R.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound. R.
Alleluia Matthew 5:16
R. 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
When Elijah insisted on a part of the small quantity of food that the widow of Zarephath possessed, he is not unmindful of her own need. He assures her that in providing for him in his want, she will be amply provided for. She goes to fetch for him the water and cake requested, in the midst of a crippling drought that had left the land hard and dry. Initially she had denied his request. But when he assures her that the God of Israel will reward her generosity with an unfailing supply of oil and flour, she quickly complies.
There are moments in life when we are called to step out in faith. It may be when the salt has become flat and the light dim. But in giving our “Yes” to God, his generosity will not be diminished. Christianity is not an esoteric faith, a set of beliefs destined only for the enlightened. It is to radiate throughout the world, and we are called to be its emissaries. At times it seems easier to hold on to our faith tenaciously and ignore our role in the world. But if the salt goes flat, it has no value. And if the light is encumbered and not placed on a lamp stand to be seen, it will never attract the human spirit.
The widow gained biblical prominence because she gave of the little that she had. We become salt and light when we let God’s goodness show forth in our lives and extend such to other persons around us. It is always better to light one candle than to curse the darkness!
Blessing
“I am the light of the world,” said Christ, and he says of us too: you are, 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!