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FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – A

INSTRUMENTS OF RENEWAL


why did the Lord Jesus choose the images of salt and light to describe his followers?
It must have something to do with the use people had of these things from the earliest times. Salt and light have the capacity to change the things around them.  They have power to transform.  Salt transforms blandness into deliciousness!  Light transforms darkness into brightness!
Remember hospital food? It has become emblematic of unsavory and tasteless diet because there is very little or no salt at all.  But with the right amount of salt, food becomes a delight! 
A place without light is enveloped in darkness and people go about their activities cautiously for fear of stumbling, falling and tripping over unseen items in the room. But proper lighting is a great service to all.
That is how the Lord Jesus envisions his followers to become. We are called to be salt and light so that our surroundings may become inviting, pleasant and fresh. Equipped with the Word of God, strong in the faith, Jesus’ followers become agents of transformation and renewal wherever they are.
At times we wonder why we find ourselves in very challenging situations. Don’t we hear ourselves complaining: Why did I get to marry this person? What has happened to my children?  Why do I find myself in the middle of trouble?  Why is my life a magnet for sad and unfortunate events?
It might be consoling to realize that the Lord allows us to go through these trying moments and occasions precisely so that we can exercise our divinely-given capacity to become salt and light in the world. The salt of your faith will inspire your spouse. The light of your love will guide your children. The salt of your faith will bring peace to conflict.  The light of your love will bring a smile on the face of those who need it most. Salt and light – God truly trusts us so much!
Each time we are thrust into difficult situations, instead of becoming defeated, let us take up the challenge to live as the Lord envisioned us to.  Let us believe that as his followers, we have the power to transform the world, the people, and the situations around us. And this we can only do when we remain connected to the Lord.  It is from Jesus that we derive the rich flavor to appreciate life. It is from Jesus that we derive the kindling fire that illumines our path.
In this Year of the Laity, it is so great to re-discover this mission from the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. In his love he has chosen us and empowered us to transform our world – at home, in school, at the workplace, in the community – as salt and light.  May the Lord give us success in fulfilling our mission.
IN MEMORIAM: BRO. CONRADO “RADING” DUMLAO,
TRULY SALT OF THE EARTH, AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD