As agents for the Gospel we comfort and love wherever we are
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
What would we do without salt? Even in the time of Jesus, salt was important. It was used to preserve meat as well as bring out the flavor of food. There were no “low sodium” restrictions back then.
What would we do without light? Isn’t it refreshing to see the daylight stay longer? Light can change our perspective and improve our sight.
In our Gospel for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus challenges his followers to be salt. He calls them and us to let our “light” shine. And how do we become salt and light? Isaiah has the answer: “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked … remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech …” (58:7-10). We are challenged to “salt” the world with goodness, kindness, peace and joy. We are challenged to shine with the love of God and show others the way. With so much darkness in our world due to hatred, cruelty and greed, may we be the salt and the light that is so badly needed.
"Share....Shelter....Clothe ..... THEN COMES ... Light ... Healing ...Vindication....Glory" Yes, so true. Isaiah lays out for us the recipe for creating an enlightened, holistic, loving and life-giving community -- share, shelter, and clothe.
And then, too, how much we need to pay attention to his words: "REMOVE malicious speech." In other words, it is our responsibility to see that the derogatory, hate-filled, demeaning speech that has been spewing from today's White House is removed. We must vote him out.