One Sunday the preacher’s sermon went on endlessly. A man got up and walked out of the church. He came back near the end of the service. The pastor made an effort to greet him as the people were leaving church and said, “Clarence, I noticed you left during my sermon and then came back later. Are you feeling okay?’’ ‘’Sure’’, Clarence said. ‘’I’m okay. I just went out get a haircut.’’ ‘’Why didn’t you do that before you came to church?’’ The pastor asked. Clarence replied, ‘’I didn’t need it then’’. I’II bet few ever got up to leave while Jesus was speaking. He even had to work a miracle to feed the crowd because their day with Jesus lasted so long. Today’s gospel from St. Matthew is a continuation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Some scripture passages could keep me talking for an hour and I struggle to keep my remarks within a reasonable timeframe. In today’s readings the message is so clear that it is hardly necessary to say anything more about it, but a couple of points deserve a comment. As the Sermon on the Mount continues, Jesus tells us ‘’you are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.” He wasn’t just talking to his 12 apostles but to a large crowd. That includes us for the scriptures are meant to teach us as well as those for whom they were originally written.
Jesus tells us we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. To be light for the world is an obvious compliment for light is so important to us. Try to imagine a world in darkness. I wouldn’t want to live in such a world. Even during these winter days when the days are short and it’s cloudy and gloomy, some people are seriously affected. The condition is called S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) and people who suffer from it become very depressed. To be called the ‘’Salt of the earth’’ is also a high compliment, although today we are told to avoid the stuff as much as possible. At the time of Jesus, it was a very important commodity, primarily because it was a preservative. Without salt, food would spoil.
In praising us, Jesus is also challenging us. In praising us, he’s telling us we have talents and gifts that could be of great value and help to others, talents and gifts we often do not give ourselves credit for. He also challenges us to be the gift to others that we can be. Our first reading from Isaiah describes how we can be light and salt for the world. Sometimes we are called to do big things to help others and sometimes it’s the little day-to-day acts of kindness that are significant and important. Sometimes just giving another person a smile is all we need to do; and maybe the hardest thing for us to do. Whatever we do to help another is going to bring blessings back to us. I’m sure we’ve all experienced that. I’d like to end with a quote from Patch Adams, a Doctor about whom a movie was made several years ago. He is also a doctor who likes to play the clown and bring humor into his healing work. He said ‘’hugely important is the way a person expresses thanks for being alive. The person who does so through service will possess a great comfort throughout life’’. We ask the Lord to bless us today as we come before him who is the source of all light, all wisdom and all blessings. Amen.