Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
It is just a week back that I met 3 year old David. He is unusually friendly and outgoing. So when I went for the School open house last Sunday, David had a very specific question for me. He said to me, “Are you God?” I have had kids who think I am Jesus because of my long hair. But this is the first that someone asked me about being God. I was so flabbergasted that I do not ever remember my response.
On the one hand, this is childlike question. On the other hand, this kid's question took me to the very crux of the theme of today’s gospel. No, I am not God but I am somebody. According to Jesus I have a very clear identity. Jesus says, “You are…” twice today’s reading. “You are the salt of the earth.” And again, “You are the light of the world.”
To fully grasp Jesus statements we must understand this passage in light of the context within which this passage occurs. Last week we reflected on the Beatitudes. And I had said that the Beatitudes reveal the character of a disciple. The beatitudes, however, are a preamble to the Sermon on the Mount. In other words, the rest of the Sermon on the Mount gives flesh to Beatitudes or a disciple’s character. But before Jesus preaches the rest of the Sermon, he explains the reason why a disciple must develop this character. Because, “You are….” You are salt… You are light….”
The question before us, then, is this: By drawing on the analogy of salt and light, what was the identity that Jesus was proposing for the disciples? Who Jesus asking them to be? My own answer to this question is that Jesus is asking them to be like him. They must have an identity. They must have a clear vision for life; they must have a clear purpose for living; their lives must be meaningful. They must have a Christian identity.
Let me propose three practical implications for today.
1. In my homily last week, I had said that Jesus on the cross is the beatitudes lived out in its perfection. I remember saying that by preaching the Beatitudes, Jesus was laying out the character of a disciple. A disciple is supposed to be pure in heart… so on and so forth. I also remember saying that by preaching the beatitudes, Jesus was raising certain virtues on a flagpole so that the disciple might consciously inculcate them. And then I said that Jesus on the cross is the Beatitudes lived to its perfection. The cross is the flag pole.
Today we take one step forward. Just as I said that Jesus is the beatitudes lived out in its perfection, today I want to say that the life of Jesus is the salt; the words of Jesus is the light. When Jesus drew the analogy of salt and light for his disciples, it is my understanding that Jesus was asking his disciples to be like him. Somehow, a disciple must enter into the depth of the person of Christ. Somehow the disciples must find total union with Jesus. Somehow, the disciples must have an in-depth understanding of thoughts, the words and actions of Christ. Somehow the disciples must be one with Christ. Somehow the disciples must be Christ.
2. By drawing the analogy of salt and light Jesus was also emphasizing the identity of a disciple. Identity – this is a complicated but very significant word in today’s global context. When I first came to the parish in 2000, my first name seemed difficult for people. They found it easier to call me Fr. Joseph. Soon it became Fr. Joe. For a little while I bore the trauma, but then, I felt that I was beginning to lose my ethnic identity. My Indian-ness, my cultural identity, my name, my own understanding of who I am was at risk. I remember preaching a homily entitled, “What’s in a Name?” Even though Satish is my first name, it captures who I am; somehow it is connected to my identity. Hence the name. Fr. Satish.
When little David asked me if I was God, he was asking me to tell him who I was? He was questioning my identity. He was challenging me to be “like” God. I must be salt of the earth; I must be light for the world. I must be Christ for the world. That is the identity of a disciple.
3. Here is the third point and two final questions: “How can we be salt and light?” and, “Why should I be salt and light?” Today’s first reading has the answer to the first question. The prophet Isaiah says, “Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn…” And again he says, “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you….”
And why should we light? The gospel reading has the answer to this question. Jesus says, “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Here Jesus provides the ultimate vision, purpose, meaning for every human life and particularly for a disciples – our lives must glorify the Father.
How fabulous that we are at this Eucharist today. Here we can enter into the depths of Christ’s life. Here we can become one with Christ. Here Christ becomes one with us. Here we take on the identity of Christ – not just as individuals but as a community. Immaculate Conception Church – a community of Disciples. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph