As Christians, we are now on the path of Lent, the time when we not only look at our spiritual selves but also at the limiting of MORE in our lives. To discipline our own wants to strengthen ourselves and to grow in self-awareness of the path God has called us to. This time to prepare our souls for the celebration of Easter.

We just read in the Gospel that Jesus has called us as Christians to be the Light of the world, the Salt of the earth. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16). We have heard this many times, in sermons and in our scripture reading, but do we really understand what Jesus is saying here?

In this Lent, it is good to understand the direction of our lives. As we take this time in the coming weeks to look inward and revisit what Jesus is saying. Both Salt and Light are symbols to us of what Jesus sees as the life of a Christian.

If we see this directive only as our image and social standing in the community, in other words, our outward image in ourselves. That self that does everything right outside of our public image. Our social standing is the image we have to others. What about the inward self, the place of our souls, society? It is here that the true self resides. We often think of ourselves as the prime example of good people, but we miss the mark if it is only about what we can see on the outside. Jesus is saying, in these words from Matthew, that our Christian life must not only be about the outside obligations we fulfill, but also about the goodness and depth of that goodness on the inside. Our Christian life should reflect the balance of the inward and outward life.

The earthly elements of light and salt are symbolic images that convey profound meaning. Salt is a mineral that has been used for centuries to flavor food and to replace minerals in our bodies. The function of salt is to provide flavor or to restore our body fluids. When salt cannot do this, it loses its function. It is no longer valuable. Could this parallel our own lives when we can no longer give to our family, our neighbors, or our community? When only the outside, without the depth of the inside, makes for an incomplete person. A person who has all the things of this world, but no grace, compassion, or virtue on the inside. They are hollow people. When it is only about ME, we have lost our direction of a healthy spiritual life, indeed, life in general.

Look at the image given to us about the Light, let’s say a bonfire. The fire consumes the wood to give warmth and light. It literally burns itself out doing this. Only ashes are left. The light clarifies the path around us. The warmth of the fire can be a metaphor for compassion for others, the feeling that caring for others brings. Not selfish concern about ourselves and our own. Light gives itself freely and generously to those who need to see and feel the warmth and compassion of that light. The light of good deeds and care for others identifies who we are as Christian men and women. When the light is only for seeing what we own or who we are in the current world, it leads to anxiety, a world that is selfish, and a disconnection from one another. Is this not true in our own times? Where violence and discord are consuming our society. Can these elements of Light and Salt teach us something? It is Jesus who gives up this important teaching on how he wants his followers to be seen.

As we walk the road of Lent, let us ponder what we are called to be: the Light of the world and the Salt of the earth. Let our actions and life reflect our Christian path. Jesus is calling us to ponder and renew ourselves in these coming weeks. The product of this journey will be peace with us, joy for our family, and a light to the community we live in. Reflecting the joy of our Christian calling. Celebrating the Death and Resurrection of the freedom given to us by this act of love by Jesus.

Jesus, in St. John’s gospel, tells us: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” ( John 8:12). Jesus, who gave everything for us, is worthy of our small sacrifices this Lent.