Salt and Light

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ‘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. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, 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 in heaven. Matthew 5:11-16

We live in a very self-promoting world, where entrepreneurs and self-made folks are king. And yet to be salt and light means to be a gift and blessing for others, spending ourselves so others may thrive, living to carry new life into the broken and dying place and people. Our blessings come, not as fame, celebrity or money, but as deep, abiding blessings that renew us. We are filled with joy as those who lost their way can find home and life again. We live in a time desperate for the salt and light we can be. May we respond to the call to take the less glamorous road of salt and light, living for the joy of others.

Gracious Creator, you light the night sky

with moon and stars to guide our way

your abundance feeds the world over

yet we would hoard the blessings given.

We want quick answers, fast solutions

yet we are unwilling to offer anything

we draw near to power and to fame

and forget to be salt and light for others.

Help us today to take the humble path

the way that builds community and trust

the careful and kind steps of welcome

that blesses us all, over and over again. Amen.