In today’s Gospel reading we continue moving through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This extended discourse on life in the kingdom of God began last Sunday with the beatitudes, which gave a surprising list of who God calls “blessed” - not the wealthy, popular, or powerful, but the meek, peacemakers, and those who mourn.
In a crowd full of ordinary people with more than their share of struggles, Jesus gives more surprising good news. Not only are you called blessed by God, but you - yes, you! - have something important to offer the world. Using the everyday metaphors of salt and light, Jesus tells the people that their gifts, given by God, are meant to be shared.
“You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus says. Salt was a particularly important commodity in Jesus’ time, used for a variety of purposes. in medicine and religious rituals, for cooking and food preservation. Even in small quantities, salt can work its magic, preserving foods and enhancing the other ingredients and flavors in a dish. But, if salt isn’t salty, there’s no point in using it.
“You are the light of the world,” Jesus says. Just as even a small amount of salt is noticeable, it doesn’t take much light to make a difference in a dark room. One candle, even one small match brings warmth and brightness. The whole purpose of light is to illuminate. If a candle is lit, then immediately hidden under a bushel basket, what’s the point of having it?
“In the same way,” Jesus says, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” If this verse sounds familiar, it might be because it’s read as part of our liturgy for the sacrament of baptism. After the water is poured, after the newly baptized is sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever, the assisting minister takes a candle, lights it from the Paschal candle, and gives it to the newly baptized or their sponsors, accompanied by these words. The light, the good works we share may be acts of service or words of encouragement. The light, the good works we share may be how we use our gifts and talents to show beauty and love, or foster joy and connection with others.
Whatever your light may look like, remember this: First, we share our light, our good works not as a way to earn God’s favor or blessing. Instead, God’s blessing and favor always, always come to us first. Before we deserve it, before we can pretend to earn it, God loves us and claims us as beloved children. It is from that blessing - from the presence of the Holy Spirit with us, from the security and peace of being claimed by God - that we are able to shine our light and share good works. Our love and kindness toward others comes from the overflow of God’s love and kindness first given to us.
And second, light, salt, gifts, talents - they are meant to be shared! It’s the whole point! Our words and actions have the power to point others to the goodness of God, and to show them the counter-cultural, unexpected good news of life in the kingdom of God. We may be tempted to think that the little we can do will not make a difference in this vast world that feels more hopeless and full of despair by the day. But, just like a little bit of light can brighten a dark room, and a little bit of salt can enhance the flavors of a big pot of soup, so too can our small words and actions make a difference in the lives of the people around us, and in the world. And, in doing so, we point others to the God who also created them, and loves them, and calls them.
In his sermon, Jesus is sure to tell his hearers that none of this is out of character for God. The call to live in such a way that catches the attention of others and points them to God is an ongoing theme throughout salvation history. In fact, it is the overarching theme of God’s relationship with God’s people Israel that we read about in the Old Testament.
Here’s how it goes - having been liberated from slavery, God’s people Israel were called to live differently than the way of Pharaoh’s Egypt, with its disdain for the weak, decisions made out of fear, and emphasis on the powerful and elite. Unlike Egypt and other nations, who lived under oppressive kings, ignored the needs of the vulnerable, and exerted their power through war and bloodshed, Israel was meant to be a shining example of another way of life together, characterized by the covenant relationship with God and care for one another.
Even when they fell short, made mistakes, and sinned, God reached out in love to renew the covenant and call them to repentance. Rather than abolishing the law or the prophets, Jesus’ words are an extension, a fulfillment, of these earlier messages.
We, too, fall short, make mistakes, and sin. We, too, turn away from God, hide our light, lose our saltiness. And yet, God is always reaching out to us, drawing us back, and granting forgiveness and mercy. In the waters of baptism and at the table, God calls us blessed and sends us out to share it. Like with salt and light, even the tiniest bit of water, the smallest bite of bread can make all the difference in the world. When those small, ordinary things are combined with God’s word, Jesus promises to show up. God is present with us and for us, loving us and empowering us to let our light shine.
In a crowd full of ordinary people with more than their share of struggles, Jesus gives more surprising good news. Not only are you called blessed by God, but you - yes, you! - have something important to offer the world. Using the everyday metaphors of salt and light, Jesus tells the people that their gifts, given by God, are meant to be shared.
 |
| Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash |
“You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus says. Salt was a particularly important commodity in Jesus’ time, used for a variety of purposes. in medicine and religious rituals, for cooking and food preservation. Even in small quantities, salt can work its magic, preserving foods and enhancing the other ingredients and flavors in a dish. But, if salt isn’t salty, there’s no point in using it.
“You are the light of the world,” Jesus says. Just as even a small amount of salt is noticeable, it doesn’t take much light to make a difference in a dark room. One candle, even one small match brings warmth and brightness. The whole purpose of light is to illuminate. If a candle is lit, then immediately hidden under a bushel basket, what’s the point of having it?
“In the same way,” Jesus says, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” If this verse sounds familiar, it might be because it’s read as part of our liturgy for the sacrament of baptism. After the water is poured, after the newly baptized is sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever, the assisting minister takes a candle, lights it from the Paschal candle, and gives it to the newly baptized or their sponsors, accompanied by these words. The light, the good works we share may be acts of service or words of encouragement. The light, the good works we share may be how we use our gifts and talents to show beauty and love, or foster joy and connection with others.
Whatever your light may look like, remember this: First, we share our light, our good works not as a way to earn God’s favor or blessing. Instead, God’s blessing and favor always, always come to us first. Before we deserve it, before we can pretend to earn it, God loves us and claims us as beloved children. It is from that blessing - from the presence of the Holy Spirit with us, from the security and peace of being claimed by God - that we are able to shine our light and share good works. Our love and kindness toward others comes from the overflow of God’s love and kindness first given to us.
And second, light, salt, gifts, talents - they are meant to be shared! It’s the whole point! Our words and actions have the power to point others to the goodness of God, and to show them the counter-cultural, unexpected good news of life in the kingdom of God. We may be tempted to think that the little we can do will not make a difference in this vast world that feels more hopeless and full of despair by the day. But, just like a little bit of light can brighten a dark room, and a little bit of salt can enhance the flavors of a big pot of soup, so too can our small words and actions make a difference in the lives of the people around us, and in the world. And, in doing so, we point others to the God who also created them, and loves them, and calls them.
In his sermon, Jesus is sure to tell his hearers that none of this is out of character for God. The call to live in such a way that catches the attention of others and points them to God is an ongoing theme throughout salvation history. In fact, it is the overarching theme of God’s relationship with God’s people Israel that we read about in the Old Testament.
Here’s how it goes - having been liberated from slavery, God’s people Israel were called to live differently than the way of Pharaoh’s Egypt, with its disdain for the weak, decisions made out of fear, and emphasis on the powerful and elite. Unlike Egypt and other nations, who lived under oppressive kings, ignored the needs of the vulnerable, and exerted their power through war and bloodshed, Israel was meant to be a shining example of another way of life together, characterized by the covenant relationship with God and care for one another.
Even when they fell short, made mistakes, and sinned, God reached out in love to renew the covenant and call them to repentance. Rather than abolishing the law or the prophets, Jesus’ words are an extension, a fulfillment, of these earlier messages.
We, too, fall short, make mistakes, and sin. We, too, turn away from God, hide our light, lose our saltiness. And yet, God is always reaching out to us, drawing us back, and granting forgiveness and mercy. In the waters of baptism and at the table, God calls us blessed and sends us out to share it. Like with salt and light, even the tiniest bit of water, the smallest bite of bread can make all the difference in the world. When those small, ordinary things are combined with God’s word, Jesus promises to show up. God is present with us and for us, loving us and empowering us to let our light shine.
Comments
Post a Comment