Fifth Sunday of the Year Gospel A

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
   • Jesus uses two ordinary household items to teach about discipleship and what does God expect of us.
   • Today, salt does not have the same preciousness and uniqueness that it had at the time of Jesus. But in          Jesus’ day salt was used as payment for work. The word salary comes from salt.
   • It was used to p reserve food and give it a more pleasing taste.
   • Newborn babies were rubbed with salt for medicinal purposes.
   • Salt was added to clay pottery and tiles in the firing phase would provide the glaze.
   • Agreements of friendships were sealed by taking salt together.
   • Salt that remains in a box doesn’t do any good.
   • Salt used moderately is beneficial; too much salt is toxic and potentially fatal.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light 
a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.   
• The symbol is a candle or a torch, which dispels darkness; gives warmth; gives a sense of direction;              draws people together around it.
   • The light of a candle gives of itself; it burns itself out. If it is never lit, it doesn’t fulfill its purpose.
   • To think that being a Christian is to focus only on God is like hiding once light (life). We are called to              love God and others, to serve God and others, to be a light to others for the sake of God.

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."

   • Both salt and light have a mission. So to do we.
   • Just as salt and light do not focus on themselves but have a purpose outside, so we are called as             disciples to bring the good news of Jesus love and life to others. We are called to make a difference in the life of others.
   • What kind of a disciple am I? Am I using the gifts God has given me to make a difference in my life and  in the life of others?