Reflection for Sunday February 5, fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:13-16

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

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. 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 lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

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Reflection:

How can we become salt and light in this world? We must become the extension of Jesus in this world. As Jesus became salt and light to this world for everyone of us so we too must become salt and light for our fellowmen. 

But this is easier said than done, perhaps we might say; before I become salt and light to my fellowmen I should take care of myself first. This is the me first mentality and this is what this world dictates upon us, to be a person for ourselves first before being a person for others. 

The teachings of Jesus are always in contrast to the teachings of this world and these teachings about salt and light is no exception. We know that salt preserves and it defines the taste of food. We know that light illuminates a dark environment, it drives out evil and light gives hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.  

As Jesus challenged HIS disciples to become living salt and light to their world. So we too are challenged by Jesus to become living salt and light to our world today. How would we proceed from this challenge of Jesus? 

Let us forget ourselves by discarding the I, Me and Myself first mindset and let us start to live and teach Jesus’ teachings. For this is the only way that we could become living salt and light of this world. 

Can we measure up to this challenge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas