5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We’ve heard the phrase a thousand times. “You are the salt of the earth.” The Romans had the saying, “Nil utilius sole et sale.” There’s nothing more useful than sun and salt. They believed that salt was the purest element of the earth because it came from basic components of creation: sun and water.
Today, Jesus presents a tremendous challenge to his disciples. “You are the salt of the earth.” His disciples are to be as pure as salt. Whatever we do must be honest and true. Jesus is telling us his disciples to be pure as salt and as essential as water and sun.
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “How happy are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” We generally think this is a call for a child-like simplicity. But that doesn’t capture the enormity of this teaching. To be painfully honest, we’re living in a society that doesn’t value purity of heart because it has grown to disregard the truth.
The authentic disciple must never lose sight of Jesus standing before Pontius Pilate. His words should ring in our ears. “I came into the world to bear witness to the truth, and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” Pilate’s closed heart tragically responded: “What is truth?”
There are many Pilates in positions of power worldwide. Today, every disciple is called to stand in contradiction to them. We offer the life that truth brings. Some among us called to prophetic ministry may meet the same fate as Jesus. But through us, the truth will continue to be proclaimed, offering life, offering healing, offering a vision of a new world seasoned by the truth. As his disciples, we must never forget his words to us. “You are the salt of the earth.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, strengthen me that I might stand with Jesus before the Pilates of this world.
