Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Mathew 5:13 – 20

Rev. Neli Miranda

            The Gospel reading for today presents a segment from the cherished passage known as The Sermon on the Mount. It opens with the Beatitudes (Mt 5,3-12), a series of declarations that describe the character and blessed state of those who belong to this Kingdom—the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers. Immediately, Jesus makes two profound declarations about the function and identity of his disciples in the world: “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world”. These are not suggestions or future possibilities but statements of present reality, highlighting the essential roles that his followers are called to play.

            Jesus’ first metaphor, You are the salt of the earth, would have resonated deeply with his first-century audience. Salt was far more than a simple seasoning. It was a vital element used for preservation in an age without refrigeration, for disinfection and medicine, and even as a unit of exchange. Its value was woven into the fabric of daily life.

            Beyond its practical uses, salt carried a profound theological meaning in Jewish thought. It was a symbol of permanence and fidelity. The regulations for sacrifices in Leviticus stipulated, “with all your offerings you shall offer salt” (2,13), signifying the enduring nature of the relationship with God. Moreover, God’s covenant with the people of Israel was called Covenant of salt, signifying a perpetual, unbreakable promise.

            Therefore, when Jesus declares his disciples to be the salt of the earth, he is bestowing upon them a covenantal identity. They are to be the living embodiment of God’s enduring faithfulness in the world.  They are the preserving agent that keeps society from moral and spiritual decay, the seasoning that brings the flavor of God’s Kingdom to a tasteless world, and the purifying element that challenges corruption. They are, in essence, covenant witnesses, reminding the world of the unbreakable bond between God and humanity.

            Yet, Jesus includes a warning: “But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.” Chemically speaking, pure salt cannot lose its flavor, but it can be diluted with other minerals or substances that cause it to lose its taste. The warning is clear: a disciple’s distinctive identity can be compromised. Through assimilation to the world’s values, fear, or spiritual apathy, we can become so contaminated that our witness becomes ineffective—good for nothing.

            Jesus’ second declaration, You are the light of the world, is equally powerful. In a time without electricity, darkness was a tangible reality that brought danger and inactivity. Light, in contrast, represented safety, productivity, and life itself. This imagery immediately calls to mind the very beginning of creation, when God’s first command, “Let there be light,” illuminated the darkness (Genesis 1,3).

            In this context, Jesus’ disciples are portrayed as agents of a new creation, bringing God’s order and truth into the world’s chaos and darkness. What a meaningful image Jesus employs to emphasize the significance of his followers’ presence in the world! They are to be agents of a new creation, bringing the illumination of God’s truth into the world’s chaos, confusion, and darkness; they are the ones who show the peoples of the world the way of justice and peace. 

            Crucially, this light is meant to be seen. Jesus insists, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket.” A disciple’s faith is fundamentally public. It is not a private comfort to be cherished and concealed, but a visible witness intended to guide others. To hide this light, whether out of fear of opposition or a desire for personal comfort, is to betray its very purpose. It is like lighting a lamp only to smother its flame.

            So, what does it mean to shine this light? Jesus provides the definitive answer: “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

            Dear sisters and brothers, to be salt and light, then, is to live out the character of the Beatitudes through a life of faithful action. It is to be a people whose integrity preserves the world around them and whose visible love illuminates the path to God. This identity is not something we achieve on our own; it is a gift and a declaration from Jesus. Our mission is to live into this reality, to guard the saltiness of our unique calling, and to place our light on the lampstand for all to see. In doing so, our lives become a covenant, not to our own goodness, but to the God who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, so that all may give glory to our Father in heaven. Amen.