Come out of the earth and light the world
Jesus continues to point out to his disciples the way of following his person. Learning from the Master implies a way of being, speaking and acting. Only in this way is it possible to gradually configure oneself with the person of Jesus Christ. In other words: the vocation of the Christian is a great gift received, but, in order not to lose it, it is necessary to transmit it to those around us.
Salt and light
Since the Lord uses today two concrete images - salt and light - we can briefly dwell on the meaning of these realities. Salt is a substance, ordinarily white, crystalline, with its own flavor, very soluble in water, which is used to season and preserve food. Starting from the reality and the function of this element, the culture of the Middle East links salt with certain values, such as the alliance, solidarity, life and wisdom. The term light integrates several meanings intimately linked to visibility and clarity. In particular, in this passage refers to the lamp, object intended to illuminate. Light is essential for human life and, therefore, from the beginning of the history of salvation, we wanted to emphasize its function. This is seen, for example, when the book of Genesis presents it as the first work of creation. Starting from the connection between the concepts of light and life, Scripture refers mainly to two aspects linked to salvation: first, God is presented as light to enlighten men; Second, man, by receiving the light of the Lord, can be a lamp for others. This last sense is the one that predominates in the passage of the Gospel of today.
The fact that the Lord concludes this episode with the mandate so shine your light before men allows us to see the ultimate goal of our actions: that men give glory to the Father to see our good works. We do not live or act, therefore, for ourselves.
To carry out our mission we must be aware that we have to flee from comfort.
Not so much of a material comfort, that also, as of a total conformity with the mentality and acting accepted as normal by the world. This politically correct neutrality contrasts with the taste of being salt from the earth. Faced with the most insipid aspects of a world that so often offers us nothing new, but always different variants of the same, the Christian, with his words and works, is called to present, as diluted, the taste of one who makes new all the things, Jesus Christ.
Salt also serves to preserve the corruption, boredom and sadness that causes walking day after day without a horizon of life.
We also consider how we should be light for others. The reference "to see your good deeds" allows us to understand that this light must first of all take our actions.
The Lord does not ask us to be an example to others because of our intelligence, culture, wealth or popularity. It is not a light related in the first place to the field of ideas. We are asked for something more concrete: works of mercy and justice. For this reason we see that in today's first reading, taken from the prophet Isaiah, it is affirmed who practices the works of mercy that your light will rise like the dawn and your light will shine in the darkness. More explicit is the responsorial psalm, pointing out that "the righteous shine in the darkness as a light
At that time Jesus said to his disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes bland, with what will they salt it? It only serves to throw it out and that the people step on it. You are the light of the world. You can not hide a city set on top of a hill. Neither does a lamp come on to put it under the bushel, but to put it on the lampstand and to shine on everyone in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
