Light and Salt are two simple metaphors that Jesus uses in today’s readings. The prophet Isaiah tells those listening that they should let their light shine like the dawn and dispel the darkness of those who are less fortunate. The world will see that they are men and women of integrity who are acting for the good of their fellow humanity.

In the absence of modern refrigeration methods in years past salt was the commonest of all the preservatives used to pickle things in jars or meat and fish so that they could be enjoyed in the future. Today we mainly use it to season our food during or after cooking. Now we take light for granted at the flick of a switch, but back then the absence of light meant danger to people. We need a lamp to guide the way forward to avoid that danger. Jesus Christ is that beacon for us all.

Jesus would have known the importance of these two commodities to the people of his time, so he uses them as an example to help to get his message across. He tells his listeners in today’s Gospel that they are the salt of the earth but warns them that when salt becomes tasteless it is useless and good for nothing.  By being the salt of the earth, we can help to preserve the faith we have. We are also to be a light to the world and should let it radiate so that other people are drawn to him by the love, kindness, forgiveness and mercy we show to others.

Fr Gerry

All our readings today define the Christian goal of eternal happiness and explain the attitudes needed to reach them. In a sense, they form the pattern by which we should live as disciples of Christ.

There was a lot of corruption in Jerusalem at the time Zephaniah prophesied but in today’s first reading he declares that the small number who have remained faithful will receive security and not vengeance for their loyalty. Saint Paul advises the Christians in Corinth to use their gifts and blessings from heaven for the good of all the community and not simply for their own advantage.

In his sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches the Beatitudes to those who are listening. They suggest a way of life that is expected of a disciple of Jesus and invites us to identify with those who are less fortunate, the poor, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst for justice. They directly challenge the listener or reader to be compassionate, to be women and men who are not only pure in heart but in all things, and to become peacemakers.

When we reach out to our fellow sisters and brothers who need our support, however necessary, we are truly living the Beatitudes. By doing so we are sharing with them a foretaste of what the Beatitudes promise.

In Catholic school’s week, we need to teach our children and young people that we are truly blessed when we follow Jesus Christ in our lives, following in his way in all that we say and do. Each one of us is called to greatness and is precious in his eyes.

Fr Gerry

This is Catholic Schools week. Throughout the week, pupils in all our parish schools will celebrate their faith and focus a little on what it means to be a Christian and how they can put that into practice in school each day.

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus clear call to ‘Repent, because the kingdom of God is close at hand’. He then invites Peter and Andrew, then James and John to ‘follow me’. We are told that they left what they were doing immediately to follow him. They must have been wondering what Jesus meant when he told them he would make them into ‘fishers of Men’. Can you imagine if someone was to come along to any of us today and invite us to leave all we had to do the same? Would we respond freely to their request?

In a world where contracts and conditions of employment are very important today, it is amazing that the disciples responded without questioning. They followed Jesus in the knowledge and trust that he would not abandon them. These ordinary men, with no special training, were given the job of bringing the knowledge and love of God to the whole world.

That responsibility to share the message of the Gospel with others in now in all our hands as the modern disciples. We are challenged to bring Gods love and compassion to all we meet in our daily lives.

Fr Gerry

Next Wednesday we begin our week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Too often in the past, the Christian Churches have been divided on different issues instead of focusing on what unites us all as followers of Jesus Christ.  

When John sees Jesus coming towards him, he is quick to proclaim, ‘Look there is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’. He tells them that Jesus was the one he spoke of when he said that someone was coming after him who was far greater than he was. It’s almost as if John the Baptist is saying that his task is now complete and that it’s up to those listening to decide for themselves if they want to become followers of ‘the Chosen one of God’.

Through the sacrament of baptism, we are all called to be Jesus modern day disciples and his witnesses by the way we live our lives. That seed or gift of faith which was planted back then requires a loving personal response from us. Our faith is not something that we live out in isolation from the wider world. We are called to be ministers of his love and show compassion to those we meet daily. Bearing witness to Christ is an active, not passive, lifelong task. By doing so we can also draw or invite others to ‘come and see’ and hopefully respond to his lifelong invitation.

May that flame of faith we all received at baptism burn brightly in our hearts always.

Fr Gerry