Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany 2023

Mathew 5:13 – 20

Rev. Neli Miranda

 

Today we continue reading Matthew’s passage known as “The Sermon on the Mount”, which Jesus opens with a proclamation of blessings upon his followers, his disciples. In today´s passage Jesus, continues commending his followers using two comparisons: Jesus says they are the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world. Jesus’ statement is clearly a commendation and an affirmation; He recognizes his followers as having great worth in a society which despises them.  Those despised and shamed by the system were called blessed by Jesus.

Salt and light were two vital elements in the first century life of Palestine, and besides their practical use, salt and light had great significance in Jewish thinking. Salt is a necessity in life and has been used since ancient times in many cultures as a seasoning, preservative, medicine, disinfectant, unit of exchange, and a vital component of ceremonial offerings. Due to salt’s preservative qualities it was the ideal symbol of the perdurability of a covenant.  The regulations for Israelites’ sacrifices, for instance, stipulated the use of salt, “with all your offerings you shall offer salt” (Lev 2:13).  God’s covenant with Israelites was also called “Covenant of salt”, which means a perpetual covenant.

Salt’s vitality for daily life was translated into the image of purification, perdurability, preservation, covenant, loyalty and fidelity, among other meanings. In that regard, salt became a symbol and a sacred sign in Jewish life. Thus, when Jesus tells his followers that they are the salt of the earth, he means they are the ones who make present God’s covenant with the human family; they are the element that purifies and seasons the corrupted society by practicing the values of the Kingdom of God; they make the world better for they are the ones who add flavor to society through good deeds; they are the ones who preserve humanity from degradation. Given that salt is mainly a covenant concept, Jesus’ disciples are covenant witnesses and a bond in the necessary relationship between God and the peoples of the earth. What an honor and commitment!!

Jesus also says to his followers, “You are the light of the world.” Like salt, light was also of vital significance in first century daily life. In a world without the advantages of electricity, darkness meant great difficulty, as people had to stock up on a good resource for light during the hours of darkness. A good light enabled them to see and guard against the perils of darkness.

Light comes from God who, in the beginning, commanded that there be light to illuminate chaos and darkness. The Book of Genesis tells us “The earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep… Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light…” (Gen, 1:2-3).  What a powerful, meaningful image Jesus uses to commend the presence of his followers in the world! They are the ones who, like the primordial light lit by God in the beginning, illuminate the chaos and darkness produced by the world system; they are the ones who show the peoples of the world the way of justice and peace. The light of Jesus’ followers has been lit by God and no one can turn it off, as Jesus proclaims, “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:14).

Dear sisters and brothers, today, Jesus honors and recognizes our presence, as his disciples in the world. We are the ones who daily struggle in the midst of corruption, degradation and darkness; we are the ones who witness God’s covenant of love in the world; we are the ones who bring flavor and illumination to the world by practicing good works. Yet, Jesus warns that, like salt, we can also lose our taste. As a chemical compound, salt cannot change, but it can be adulterated with other minerals or substances that makes it lose its taste.  We can become contaminated when we abandon Jesus’ teachings and follow other voices that lead us to be part of the corrupted system of this world.  Our light can also stop shinning when we silence our voices and put ourselves under a bushel basket when our actions are needed.

May your good works season society and illuminate the world. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven! Amen.