Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5, 13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
The Path of Light
1. Salt. We are invited to live life with enthusiasm and savor. Whether your life is full of flavor or bland is up to you. The Latin root for both “wisdom” and “salt” is sapere, which means “to taste.” A wise person knows how to bring flavor to life and recognizes the unique taste of truly living. As Christians, our calling is to add zest to daily life. Having a “taste for life” is about living wholeheartedly. While some experiences may lack flavor or even be bitter, see them as part of your growth. Embrace life as it unfolds and find joy in everything you do. Beautiful moments may not repeat themselves, but when you approach things beautifully, that beauty will return again and again.
2. Trampled. If you lose your zest for life and let bitterness take over, you may find that people are ready to trample over you. Don’t be naive—there are those who, seeing you down, will take the opportunity to push you down even further. This is why you shouldn’t allow yourself to be trampled. Remember, you have worth, a unique history, and your own journey. It’s a familiar cycle: bitterness turns into sadness, sadness into apathy, and apathy leaves you vulnerable. Today, choose to be positive. Hold on to the things that bring you joy and keep you motivated. Let them inspire you to stand strong so no one can step on you.
3. Shine. Keep pursuing life with energy and passion—that’s what keeps you moving forward. As the saying goes, “You can change your country, your religion, or your favorite soccer team, but you can never change what you are passionate about.” Let your passion make you shine and live with enthusiasm so your light can shine for others. You possess that spark from God, empowering you to continue and to shine brightly in the world.
Today we honor St. Josephine Bakhita, a young Sudanese girl who survived kidnapping and slavery. She became a witness to God’s mercy, even toward those who mistreated her. Josephine found joy in serving God as her true Master and fulfilling His will. With God, you too can work the miracle of forgiving someone from your heart. I know it’s a process that may take time but ask St. Josephine Bakhita for her help. Never let anyone enslave your heart or make you feel imprisoned.
Don’t forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you and keep you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
