HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME

Homily for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 58:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16.

Theme: You are the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth.

Jesus tells his disciples in today's Gospel: "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt.5:13). 

Salt gives flavour to food, makes it pleasant, and preserves it from going bad. It was a symbol of divine wisdom. Hardly any food we can eat, which is not seasoned with salt. It was used in sacrifice by both Jews and Romans alike. Salt is a symbol of the covenant between God and man. For in the Book of Leviticus, we read: "You shall not omit from your grain offerings the salt of the covenant with your God; with all your offerings you shall offer salt" (Lev.2:13). Salt is also a sign of hospitality: "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another" (Mark 9:50). To be  salt of the earth means to be a channel of peace and a witness to love. To be a salt of the earth means to be a bearer of eternal promise.

We must be like salt. We have entered into a covenant with God. Our existence must give flavour to the life of this world.

Salt purifies. There is a cleansing and healing property in salt. One may have a favourite brand of mouthwash. But a little salt in warm water will do as well the job at considerably less cost.

We must be like a purifying element in society around us. We must exert an antiseptic influence in the surroundings in which we live. We must raise the moral standards and lift up the level of spiritual life. We must preserve what is good in humanity.

Jesus says: "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 trodden under foot by men" (Matt.5:13). Salt that loses its taste is utterly useless. It can not even be used as fertilizer. It is thrown out as sheer waste matters. Such is the sad picture of a Christian who fails to fulfil his calling. How do we keep the salt from losing its taste? By prayer, by mortification, by apostolate, and by works of charity.

Salt is not for itself. It is to give taste to everything. We must not live for ourselves but for God and for our brothers and sisters.

Jesus tells us again: "You are the light of the world" (Matt.5:14). The symbolism of light is equally rich: a lamp gives light, warmth, and joy. "Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path" (Psalm 118:105). Jesus, the Word of the Father, is the inner light that dispels the darkness of sin; he is the flame that gives joy to life; he is the splendour of truth which, shining before us, leads us on our way. Those who follow him do not walk in darkness but have the light of life. If one travels at night without light, one is sure to miss the way. If a lighthouse beacon is extinguished, there will follow death and shipwreck. If an apostle is faithless to his role, ruin will follow.

We must spread around us light. Think of a big hall at night with no light. One lights up a small candle. Its light can be seen by everyone in the hall. Suppose each one present in the hall lights up a candle. The whole hall will be flooded by light.

Jesus says: "A city set on a hill can not be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your  light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt.5:15-16).

For this, we need first of all to give the example of an upright life, with a clean behaviour, and the very visible practice of the human and Christian virtues in our ordinary everyday living. The world must have light; a good example has to lead the way.

We should be known as men and women who are loyal, straightforward, truthful, cheerful, hardworking, and optimistic. We have to behave the way people do who carry out their duties properly and who know how to comfort themselves at every moment as children of God, without letting themselves be swept along by the current of whatever is in vogue.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah lists a series of works of mercy, which gives a Christian the possibility of showing the charity he bears in his heart, and all of which consists in loving others as God loves us and that will eventually show that we are salt of the earth and the light of the world. We should share our bread and our shelter with others. We should clothe the naked. We should banish all threats and curses. 

Then, sings the Responsorial Psalm: "A light rises in the darkness for the upright." If we live charity with those around us in all different sorts of circumstances we find ourselves in, we will give a testimony that will attract many people to faith in Christ, for He himself said: "By this will all men know that you are my disciples" (John 13:35).

In being salt of the earth and light of the world, we can show kindness to people around us by allowing the humility and simplicity of Christ Jesus reflect through us, just like St. Paul did in the second reading to the Church in Corinth. Our kind words and actions to people must be for us the light of Christ in us that shines out before men, so that by seeing this, they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven 

Looking at our world at large and our Nigerian society, we can not really taste much saltiness among Christians, and our light is also close to dimming than shining. Materialism corrodes human sensibility; sensuality overwhelms humankind, and lack of love is the order of the day. How then can the salt preserve, and how can the light shine?

Relying on Christ's help is a sure way of keeping His teaching. For us not to lose our flavour, we must continuously make an effort to affect the world around us positively. As Christians, we are a city built on a hilltop, we cannot hide. We must, therefore, glow by showing others what Christ us like.

May God grant us the grace to be salt of the earth and the light of the world through Christ our Lord.