Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

Today’s passage is a portion of the “Sermon on the Mount.”  In its entirety, the Sermon on the Mount addresses the way people are called to be in the world as disciples, as people in “right” relationship with God.  

Christ Pantocrator, 16 c, By Biełaruś [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

People argue about what righteousness means, what "right relationship" looks like and what it requires of one who seeks to follow God.   People ask the questions:  Who am I?  Because I am who I am, how am I called to “be” in the world and what am I called to “do” for the world?
 

Jesus uses simple, ordinary yet highly important objects of life to begin this portion of his “sermon."  He uses salt and light to describe disciples living in the kingdom of God, right now.  Today, we use salt to season food and enhance the flavor of meat, sometimes without even thinking.  And yet too much salt can be overpowering, ruin the taste of our food, and give us high blood pressure!   

In biblical times, salt was also a metaphor for fidelity or covenant.  

Today, I’m not sure how we would live without light.  How could we live without a lamp to read the newspaper, our favorite novel, or the bible?  How could we live without that overhead fluorescent to cook by?     How could we drive at night without the headlights on our car?   I suppose I consider light to be an essential of living today.

In the bible, God through the prophet Isaiah calls upon Israel, the covenant people, to be a “light to the nations.”

Covenant people are essential.  If you and I are to be disciples in the kingdom of God today, we bring the salt of our souls and the light of our communities into the world through the way we live our lives, both individually and communally in righteousness, or in “right relationship,” with God.  Jesus invites us and challenges us to deepen our relationship with God beyond that of those who put their piety on display for all to see but does not open their heart to God or others.  

One of the best ways to draw closer to God and to deepen our relationship is through daily engaging in "breath prayers."    I invite you to join me as I breathe deeply  

Breathing in ... God of Salt
Breathing out ... Increase my Saltiness

Breathing in ... God of Light

Breathing out ... Let me shine bright

When you are ready to enter the narrative through "Lectio Divina," pray ... God of Salt, God of Light, send your Spirit to lead me into deeper discipleship.  Speak to my heart through your Word that I might hear your voice and respond in grace and peace.  Amen.

Step 1:  Read Matthew 5:13-20 slowly and reverently ...What word, or phrase calls for your attention in your reading?  Spend a few moments pondering how God, through these words of Christ" may be inviting you through your word or phrase ... 

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  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.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.  Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." 

Step 2:  Read the passage again and Reflect ...
How does your word or phrase from this passage illuminate your life or the life of your community right now?  How is God inviting you to change or grow or pray or act?

Step 3:  Read the passage again and Respond ...
What do you say to God about your light, your life and how you feel you are being called?   How do you pray when you consider what God is saying to you?

Step 4:  Rest ...
Come to a place of silence within yourself and just "be" with God.  Try for 10 minutes or beyond. When you are ready to move on,  pray:

God of all Nations, you are the light of the World.  May I be your servant, a reflection of your love and a beacon of light to all people who cross my path.  Amen.

If music is a pathway to God for you, listen and if images are a pathway to God for you, watch this youtube video called Salt and Light by Jami Smith.  Enjoy!