Burn Bright | June 7, 2016

June 7, 2016

I think that Americans especially understand that adding salt to food most definitely enriches the flavor of a dish, and it can bring out hints of other tastes within that dish as well. Salt as a seasoning is part of our everyday lives (#bacon) and each of us has probably experienced under salted food, perhaps at a church potluck, and I’m sure we have also experienced over salted food. Raise your hand if you have ever burned the inside of your mouth by eating an entire bag of Doritos (not that I have EVER done such a thing, but I’ve heard about people doing this). We get salt as a flavor enhancer. Salt is also used as a heat conductor to stoke a fire or to increase the heat of a fire. In this capacity salt can be used over and over again, however, the more it is used the less effective it becomes, thus losing its “saltiness”, its “flavor”, or its “heat”. Once salt loses its function, it becomes useless.

Jesus was such an amazing teacher because he used images, anecdotes, and analogies that were completely relevant to his audience at the time, and these anecdotes are still relevant today. #genius

Light or fire also has multiple functions and there is a fine line between fire being a helpful source and it’s being a dangerous force. “Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” I know that we might immediately imagine the light being extinguished or hidden under a bushel, however, a bushel is a basket made out of straw and a light under it would instantly catch the whole thing on fire and most likely the entire house as well. Light used properly, on a stand and out in the open air or contained, can illuminate even the darkest space and can be seen from miles away.

Jesus’ message for us today is temperance. The spiritual gifts that we have been given have the power to transform, but if we are not temperate in our use of them, they can actually become useless and/or dangerous. Raise your hand if you have ever witnessed a “dangerous” Christian that starts fires with their words rather than providing light to the world. Raise your hand if you have ever known a “Routine Rita” that has become dull by just going through the motions of religion rather than living out their faith. Jesus’ words to us today are to encourage us to enkindle our gifts, and to harness our spirit in such a way that we are always adding spiritual flavor, stoking the fires of faith and goodness, and lighting up the darkness. Unlike actual salt, we have the opportunity to restore our saltiness (flavor and fire) every time we meet Jesus in the moments that stir our hearts with kisses from Heaven, when we receive him in communion, when we listen to his whisper of sweet nothings in our ear, and when we do the things that make our souls well. So…” your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Burn bright and have a blessed day.

Reading 1 1 KGS 17:7-16

The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry,
because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah: 
“Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you.”
He left and went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
“Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.”
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
“Please bring along a bit of bread.”
She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, 
I have nothing baked;
there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. 
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
‘The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm PS 4:2-3, 4-5, 7B-8

R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

Alleluia MT 5:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”