To be light and to give light. Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Today's Gospel is a direct continuation of last Sunday. Jesus continues his great discourse as the new Moses, developing the Beatitudes. What we hear today is the logical consequence of living the Beatitudes: the Christian becomes salt and light. These images reveal another essential feature of the Christian's “identity card”. With the emphatic words “You are”Jesus does not simply offer advice; he defines what his disciples are called to be. The Christian's mission and witness are made concrete through the images of light and salt, realities that do not exist for themselves, but for others: to enlighten and to give flavor.

“Being light and giving light” is a constant theme running through today's readings, beginning with the first reading. What does it mean for a Christian to give light? It means allowing the Gospel to shine in daily life, through concrete acts of love. Jesus tells us: “Let your light so shine before men”and the prophet Isaiah explains how it happens: “break your bread with the hungry, shelter the homeless poor, cover those you see naked ... Then your light will break forth like the dawn.”. Every good deed is light, but works of charity-especially toward the poor and vulnerable-have a particular radiance.

There is, however, a paradox in being light for others. Not only do we give light through our good works; we also receive light in the process. Charity enlightens us as it flows through us. As Isaiah says: “When you drive away oppression, the accusing finger and slander from you, when you offer to the hungry your own and satisfy the afflicted soul, your light will shine in the darkness, your darkness like the noonday.”. Good begets good. In sharing, we receive; in giving, we are given. This is a profoundly Christian paradox. 

The ultimate purpose of this light is not for personal display, but for the glory of God: “The light is for the glory of God.“give glory to your Father who is in heaven”. Every authentic Christian action refers beyond itself to God, the true source of all light. When good works are motivated by self-interest or vanity, they lose their deepest meaning. The Christian is always called to remember that God is the source and goal of every genuine act of love.

Although light is the dominant image in today's readings, the symbol of salt in the identity of the Christian cannot be overlooked. He is called to transform the world from within and to raise it to its true dignity, just as salt does. Salt acts in a silent way. C. S. Lewis illustrates this beautifully in his book, Mere Christianity.

Imagine someone who has never tasted salt. You give him a small pinch to taste, and he is impressed by its strong, pungent flavor. Then you tell him that, in your country, salt is used in almost all cooking. He might well reply: “Then I guess all your food tastes the same, because that substance you just gave me is so strong that it would overpower any other flavor.”. But you and I know that the true effect of salt is precisely the opposite. Instead of destroying the flavor of the egg, rice or lettuce, it makes it better. They do not reveal their true flavor until salt has been added.

So it is with the Christian as salt of the earth. Through faithful witness and charitable action, the Christian helps earthly realities to reveal their true meaning and beauty, that is, their true flavor.