Matthew 5:13-16 NRSVue
13“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.
14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In 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.
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Reflection on Matthew 5:13-16
Inspiration from 2025-06-10 Daily Prayer
Jesus, the light of the world, came to shed light on a world in moral darkness. Each of us is called, as St Paul reminds us, to shine as lights in our world today. We can never overestimate the power of example for good or ill. Let us pray especially for parents and those with the responsibility of bringing up children.
Further reflection
Jesus uses contrasting metaphors for Christian life, and they apply at different times in each person’s life and in the church’s life. Sometimes we are put in the spotlight, and we have our fifteen minutes of fame: briefly we are the light of the world, and we can pray that when we are in such focus, we may be worthy of our Christian vocation. Most of the time we are more like salt, or leaven, working for good even when unseen. Salt is a less attractive image than light. If there is anything of the exhibitionist in us, this image will discover it.
Lord, what do you ask of me, to be light or salt, to shine in public, or to work invisibly? Make me easy in the role you assign me.
Each of us is a light for the world because we are enlightened by Jesus, the light of the world. The light within us is not our own, but is a reflection of his light, the light of God. Prayer exposes us to the light, and when we move from the space of prayer into the space of ordinary life, we are more enlightened, in mind and heart. God is light, in him there is no darkness. We are light, though not all is light. The touch of God brings light to more and more of our inner, hidden personality.
Goodness shines through and cannot be hidden. The goodness of Jesus came through even in the darkness of the passion, and attracted good people to him. God's gifts to each person are to build up the community and thus glorify God. Anything done in love is done for the glory of God, for selfless love and the glory of God go together.
Jesus reminds me that faith is not a wet blanket on the joys of life but brings zest and spark. I ask Jesus to touch my imagination to show me how my faith can bring colour and life to me and to those around me.