Salt and Light (2011-02-06)

This is my homily for 6 February 2011. I am the Catholic campus minister for Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Mass (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

Isaiah 58:7-10 | Psalm 112 | 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 | Matthew 5:13-16

[__01____ ] We consider natural image and symbolism in today’s Gospel. From the sky or heavens, LIGHT.From the ground or ocean, we hear of SALT.

Both have properties and capabilities which we observe … even properties from which we protect ourselves. “Low salt” “Sunscreen”

Salt and light have powerful properties.

[__02_ ] What our Lord is reminding us of is that both LIGHT and SALT have their moments … not on the table, indoors and outdoors.

[__03___ ] This past month, in Tunisia and in Egypt, we have also seen influence outdoors – by protestors demand a change to governments that have been in power for 23 years in Tunisia and about 30 years in Egypt Thousands have raised their voices in the street. The change is not completely peaceful or nonviolent.

We pray that this democracy movement will also give way to diplomacy and restrained measures of peacekeeping.

At this time, in Egypt – in particular – the protesters are there to bring LIGHT ..if not also firepower. It is a revolution.

[__04____ ] On a smaller scale – in our own relationships, and desires for influence, we are inclined to turn up the volume, turn up the brightness. Use the light.

And, in the case of legitimate protest, this is needed. Sometimes, it is absolutely necessary to attract attention. If someone we love were to something harmful, we have a responsibility to call attention.

Or, suppose, even that one of our friends is inviting us – pressuring us to do something we know – conscientiously – is wrong. In a relationship, at a party, with our friends. In school.

It’s difficult to say no. Saying NO…sometimes means shining a light on others…shining a light on ourselves. It’s easier to be in the dark sometimes

We may find, at times, our popularity shrinks … or we may feel – at times – ashamed to speak up … knowing … hey, I’m also a sinner, I’m not perfect either.

We may find the protest we start turns into a backlash – we might recall the words of the Beatitudes from last Sunday’s gospel –

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven … Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

Light is not always welcome …sometimes people will put on their sunglasses (literally or figuratively) when they are talking to us.

[__05___ ] Light, however, is not only valuable for its ability to shine … to bring the spotlight to us…or to make everyone realize how brilliant I am.

This would be one way to interpret the Lord’s instruction -- A way to display our light, to remove the lamp from under the bushel basket and put it on a lampstand (cf. Matthew 5:15)

And, we might be inclined to view light as either ON or OFF …NOTICED or UNNOTICED … REWARDED or REJECTED.

But, there is another way to view light ..and it relates to our view of SALT.
Sometimes, light is simply absorbed.

This is what mothers and fathers and teachers often have to do … be present, show up. They might not be rewarded or recognized. We are also called to do the same, testifying to our beliefs, our honesty. That is, we don’t necessarily need to be noticed or rewarded… Our light will be absorbed…

[__06___ ] Jesus also speaks of SALT, the properties of the salt to preserve, salt which can purify.

However, salt which is everywhere (snow brings salt to our roads) also is known for its disappearance, its lack of visibility.

The crystals can only be detected visually before they are used.

How about in Liberation Square, in Cairo, in the protests and revolution there?
What we say so clearly in Cairo are not individuals – individual protesters – but rather a massive crowd. The individuals dissolved in an ocean … persons dissolved in a movement.

[__07____ ] What about our actions, our behavior, our … salt?
Sometimes, as a mother, father, friend, … as a brother or sister, we also dissolve … we also disappear a little bit.

It does not mean that our actions or behavior are not important. But, they are not so visible. They may not be rewarded.

Consider – for example – something so ordinary as taking responsibility for a child, for one of your younger brothers or sisters.

If, for example, we do not “get away with things” as our younger sister or brother does, we may feel excluded … we may feel we do not matter. Or, we simply want the attention. We do not want to disappear.

[__08 ___ ] We would rather have the spotlight, right? But, often, we are simply called to be salt of the earth. And, salt, while it disappears, is also very important and powerful.

Salt preserves the good things in other things. Salt brings out the characteristics, the gifts, the essential quality of something else.

Salt and light are the symbols we hear of today, both of which are absorbed, both of which remind us to share ourselves with others ..and to adapt to the natural circumstances to which the Lord calls us.

At times, we may feel we are disappearing..but truly God’s grace is appearing and being received. [__the__end__]