Beloved in Christ,
In his sermon on the mountain, spanning chapters five to eight of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus clearly spelled out the vocation and mission of the disciple. Speaking metaphorically and symbolically, Jesus demands that his followers put the spirit of the beatitudes into practice; good deeds and actions must follow the practice of virtues and faith. He says to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." Faith isn't just spiritual or private; it has public implications. Loving God includes actively working for justice in the world. Faith demands recognition of the dignity of every human person, as Isaiah writes in chapter fifty-eight, our first reading: "Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own" (58:7-8). Prophet Isaiah adds, "if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday" (58:10).
What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? References to these two metaphors, which indicate how Christians and the Church should be perceived in the world, abound in the Sacred Scriptures. His Jewish audience understands the central role of salt in their culture, economy, and sacred rituals. Salt is a preservative. It brings out flavor in food. Salt has qualities of permanence, lastingness, and necessity for life, and it also brings other benefits. Salt translates to keeping the Gospel message received from Jesus permanent and unaltered, making the message of Christ a force for good and transformation in the world. The Christian message must bring about spiritual and corporal benefits, such as forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and care for the good of man and the universe.
In the same manner, the Christian's actions and deeds must shed light on a dark world. The life of the Christian must speak truth to the world. Just as light cannot serve its purpose by being placed under a bushel basket, likewise, the Christian life, with all its blessings and graces, cannot be kept private. It must be seen in action and in its practice of social justice, bringing light upon the world and ridding it of all kinds of evil towards fellow human beings, friends and enemies, family and strangers alike. The Church must be set on the lampstand to give light to the world. Whenever and wherever corporal works of mercy and the Church's social teachings, rooted in the dignity of every human person, are practiced, we become light that shines through the darkness (see Ps. 112).
As the salt of the earth, we must not lose our taste. As the light of the world, we can't afford to hide ourselves. We must live out our Christian faith without any compromise or fear of persecution. We must allow the Word of God and the Sacraments we receive to transform us into a force for human and social good. When we translate our faith into action in the world, bringing about the honor and improvement of all human beings, family and foes alike, friends and strangers alike, only "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!"
Today is World Marriage Day. As we do every Sunday, we celebrate married couples who continue to live out their vows through the grace of God and personal discipline. We pray for all married couples and those preparing for marriage. Today is also World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. This scourge is real and alive in your country and county. We seek the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita for an end to this menace. On Wednesday, the Church will celebrate World Day of the Sick. I will be praying for the sick at the daily mass at 8 am. Send your special intentions to me and, seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, I will pray to the Lord for spiritual and physical healings.
One more piece of information. It is ten days to Lent. Let's begin to think about ways we want to draw closer to the Lord. Next Sunday, during our Sunday assembly, we get to sing alleluia during the liturgy for the last time before Lent. Let's come to mass ready to sing multiple Alleluias before we start fasting from it in the spirit of sober reflection and sorrows for our sins.
In His Joy,
Fr. Alayode, OP
In his sermon on the mountain, spanning chapters five to eight of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus clearly spelled out the vocation and mission of the disciple. Speaking metaphorically and symbolically, Jesus demands that his followers put the spirit of the beatitudes into practice; good deeds and actions must follow the practice of virtues and faith. He says to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." Faith isn't just spiritual or private; it has public implications. Loving God includes actively working for justice in the world. Faith demands recognition of the dignity of every human person, as Isaiah writes in chapter fifty-eight, our first reading: "Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own" (58:7-8). Prophet Isaiah adds, "if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday" (58:10).
What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? References to these two metaphors, which indicate how Christians and the Church should be perceived in the world, abound in the Sacred Scriptures. His Jewish audience understands the central role of salt in their culture, economy, and sacred rituals. Salt is a preservative. It brings out flavor in food. Salt has qualities of permanence, lastingness, and necessity for life, and it also brings other benefits. Salt translates to keeping the Gospel message received from Jesus permanent and unaltered, making the message of Christ a force for good and transformation in the world. The Christian message must bring about spiritual and corporal benefits, such as forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and care for the good of man and the universe.
In the same manner, the Christian's actions and deeds must shed light on a dark world. The life of the Christian must speak truth to the world. Just as light cannot serve its purpose by being placed under a bushel basket, likewise, the Christian life, with all its blessings and graces, cannot be kept private. It must be seen in action and in its practice of social justice, bringing light upon the world and ridding it of all kinds of evil towards fellow human beings, friends and enemies, family and strangers alike. The Church must be set on the lampstand to give light to the world. Whenever and wherever corporal works of mercy and the Church's social teachings, rooted in the dignity of every human person, are practiced, we become light that shines through the darkness (see Ps. 112).
As the salt of the earth, we must not lose our taste. As the light of the world, we can't afford to hide ourselves. We must live out our Christian faith without any compromise or fear of persecution. We must allow the Word of God and the Sacraments we receive to transform us into a force for human and social good. When we translate our faith into action in the world, bringing about the honor and improvement of all human beings, family and foes alike, friends and strangers alike, only "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!"
Today is World Marriage Day. As we do every Sunday, we celebrate married couples who continue to live out their vows through the grace of God and personal discipline. We pray for all married couples and those preparing for marriage. Today is also World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. This scourge is real and alive in your country and county. We seek the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita for an end to this menace. On Wednesday, the Church will celebrate World Day of the Sick. I will be praying for the sick at the daily mass at 8 am. Send your special intentions to me and, seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, I will pray to the Lord for spiritual and physical healings.
One more piece of information. It is ten days to Lent. Let's begin to think about ways we want to draw closer to the Lord. Next Sunday, during our Sunday assembly, we get to sing alleluia during the liturgy for the last time before Lent. Let's come to mass ready to sing multiple Alleluias before we start fasting from it in the spirit of sober reflection and sorrows for our sins.
In His Joy,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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