Jesus is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He gives meaning to our lives. And he wants his followers to be and do the same.

Seeing the crowds, Jesus pities them because they are troubled and left behind, like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9, 36). There is neither meaning nor quality in their lives.

But the lives of the shepherds are also without meaning. The chief priests who come from the powerful families of Sadducees, are all for this life on earth only. These conservatives have it good in life. That is why they strive to keep the status quo. That is because their policy of reaching an understanding with Rome yields them profits.

And so, the Sadducees do not believe in life after death. That is why Jesus rebukes them for their inability “to nurture another hope.” What is laughable is not to harbor this hope but to go on dwelling in the shadow of death.

The lives of the scribes and the Pharisees lack meaning also. That is why Jesus denounces them and unmasks their hypocrisy. They do not care about what is important in the law, and so they distort it. And there is, then, stain, if not corruption, in their lives. Only Jesus really fulfills the law and the prophets. Rightly, then, does he ask for a righteousness that go beyond that of the scribes and Pharisees.

It is Jesus who gives meaning to our lives.

As salt of the earth, Jesus gives liveliness and quality to our lives and keeps them from spoiling. Also, as the light of the world, he gives us clarity that makes us light, rather than unbearable. He enables us to move about without fear of stumbling, and he guides us.

Jesus does all this through his teaching. But, above all, through his example of good works. The crowds find his teaching astonishing, since he teaches as one having authority (Mt 7, 28-29). His good works amaze the crowds, too, and they praise God (Mt 15, 31). And as Jesus finishes his good works, by giving up his body and pouring up his blood, then light rises for him in the darkness. His foolishness, moreover, becomes wisdom. For the centurion and his men confess him, though fearfully, the true Son of God (Mt 27, 54).

And Jesus wants us to be like him so, as salt of the earth and light of the world. By words and by works. Salt and light, yes, so that we may not act as masters with those under our care (SV.EN IV:570). So that we may not call evil good or mistake darkness for light (Is 5, 20).

Lord Jesus, grant that we keep our lives hidden in you and full of you (SV.EN I:276). Our lives, then, will have meaning and we shall be salt of the earth and light of the world.

9 February 2020
5th Sunday in O.T. (A)
Is 58, 7-10; 1 Cor 2, 1-5; Mt 5, 13-16