The Gospel reading for the 5th Sunday of ordinary time, challenges each one of us: to go out to the world; to become salt and light for the world. Jesus uses the image of salt and light, to describe the transforming impact of God’s work in our lives and how to impact other people’s lives. In the spirit of the Gospel reading, our Christian life is simply a matter of becoming “salt and light” to the world. 

Jesus said, “you are the salt of the earth”. Let us pay more attention to this statement. Jesus is not saying, you are “like” the salt of the earth. But what it really means is that we Christians must be the salt of the earth. In other words being “salt” is the core of our Christian identity. As salt purifies, preserves and produces a rich flavour for our daily food, it is truly our Christian lives to be “salt” for the world.

How do we do this? Let us take inspiration from Psalm 34:9 “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” For people of faith, we are privileged to experience, taste and see the goodness of the Lord in our daily life. This is the way we live our vocation. We are called to become people in whom others can taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Therefore, the question for our reflection should be: Do others see God’s goodness and kindness in us; in our words in our actions; in the way we live our life?

In our western culture, we often put salt on the side of the plate. This is like the Christians, who while having the gift, do not use it and therefore it makes no impact on people lives. If we don’t offer ourselves as salt of the earth, we offer little meaning to the world. Also, if the salt is not used correctly, it is useless and has no meaning. Being salt means we must make a difference and make a positive impact in someone’s life. Through our self-giving and sharing we put the best flavour into other people’s life. Pope Francis calls this a “Christian attitude,” to give of oneself, to give flavor to the lives of others, to give flavour to many things with the message of the Gospel.

Jesus also said “You are the light of the world.” Jesus reminds us, that it is part of our DNA to be seen as His witness. Christianity is not a private religion. The secular world, has led us to hide our identity, to privatise our religious faith. That is exactly why Jesus challenges us again and again. We cannot build up an exclusive group that is isolated from the world.

Through our living-out of the Gospel values, we bring light to the darkness of the world. To emphasise this, Jesus speaks of a city built on top of a hill. ”There is no way to hide it. He speaks of “a lamp on a lamp stand” to remind us of the essential visibility of being Christian. In other words, Jesus challenges us: what is the point of being a Christian and then become completely invisible to others? 

 Let’s not forget, “you and me are the light of the world” Jesus put to us what he said of himself, “I am the light of the world.” We are then called to be and to do what Jesus has shown us that the Gospel message is to shine out through our words and actions. Only by doing so, will we become attractive to the world!