In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth, 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 trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, 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 who is in heaven.”
WHAT DOES LORD JESUS MEAN BY BEING THE SATL OF THE EARTH?
During His memorable Sermon on the Mount, Lord Jesus declared that believers were the "salt of the Earth" and advised that it was possible for them to lose their flavor. If believers lost their "flavor," they would be of no benefit to others. They would then only be deserving of being "thrown out and trampled upon."
Throughout history, salt was used as an instrument to reduce the corruption of meat and other foods so that they could be edible for a longer period. This implies that Christians who obey Lord Jesus and do His will serve as a preservative of the human race by serving to slow down the moral and spiritual decay of the world.
According to Lord Jesus teachings, the Christians as the salt of the Earth need to live a pure life and maximize their ability to bless others through their good deeds.
The Holy Bible contains several verses about salt. Here are some of them:
*Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. ( Colossinas 4:6)
*Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” ( Mark 9:50)
“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.” ( Luke 14:34-35)
OUR LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS A REFLECTION OF THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF
Referring to his disciples as the ‘light of the world”, Lord Jesus Christ meant that as "light" their lives are to be an on-going witness to the reality of Christ's presence in our lives. So, when worshipping God with pure hearts, when we love others as ourselves, and when we do good without growing weary, we are lights shining.
It is important to note that our light is the reflection of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ Himself, which the entire world sees.
Lord Jesus identified Himself as the light of the world: “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)
People are the "salt" and the "light" when they obey the Lord who ensured their salvation and granted them eternal life.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVES AS THE SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Over the years, the Catholic Church has served as the salt of the world and reflected the “light” of Lord Jesus through its various activities that call for the entrenchment of love, peace, harmony, common living, as well as helping the poor and the needy.
His Holiness Pope prayed for the victims of violence and of natural disasters, helped conclude peace agreements among warring factions in various parts of the world, as well as spread the message of love and peace through his various encyclicals, the latest of which is the encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers) which deals with tangible ways to advance for those who wish to build a more just and fraternal world in their ordinary relationships, in social life, politics and institutions.
It is worthy to mention that there are various Catholic organizations that have all the time been striving to eliminate hunger and help people living in countries stricken by various disasters. Some of them are Caritas, Sant'Egidio, and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
