This Sunday’s readings continue the great Sermon on the Mount that we began last week with the Beatitudes. Jesus shared with his disciples who they are called to be — blessed, humble, merciful, peacemakers — and now he tells them what they are called to do: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16). Notice that Jesus does not say, “You should be” or “You might become.” He says, “You are.” This is our identity as baptized Christians. The question is whether we will live it.
In the ancient world, salt was precious. It preserved food, healed wounds, and added flavor to what was bland. Light revealed things that were hidden and guided people safely home. Jesus is telling us that the gift of faith we have received is not meant to be kept to ourselves. We have been given the extraordinary knowledge that God loves us, that we are His beloved sons and daughters, and that this love changes everything. That knowledge is a gift, and gifts are meant to be given away — to our families, our friends, our community, and the wider world.
To help us see what this looks like in practice, the prophet Isaiah writes: “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them… Then your light shall break forth like the dawn” (Isaiah 58:7–10). Our light does not shine in the abstract. It shines through concrete acts of love, justice, and compassion. It shines when we advocate for the least among us: the broken, the homeless, the immigrant, the elderly, the very young. It shines when we treat every human being with dignity and respect, regardless of what civil law may permit or cultural attitudes may encourage. We follow a higher law. We follow the law of Christ, which calls us to see the face of God in every person.
This is especially urgent in our time. There are people in our communities who are afraid, who feel invisible, who wonder if anyone sees their suffering. We cannot hide our light under a bushel basket. We cannot remain silent when people are treated without the dignity they deserve as children of God. Hate is never overcome by more hate. Violence and domination only breed more darkness. Only love can conquer hatred. Only compassion, patiently offered, can break the cycles of fear and division. This does not mean we avoid difficult conversations. It means we approach every person rooted in the conviction that love is the most powerful force in the world.
And this begins close to home. The way we treat one another within our own families, how we speak to our spouse, how we care for our aging parents and grandparents, how we nurture our children with patience and tenderness — these are the first places where our light either shines or dims. Our elderly deserve to be treated with reverence, their wisdom honored. Our young ones deserve to grow up in communities where they are loved, safe, and encouraged. When we get this right at home, we carry that light into our parish community, schools, workplaces, and into the world.
This weekend, we are blessed to celebrate Scout Sunday, recognizing the boys and girls in our Scouting programs and the wonderful leaders who guide them. At Mass, we will offer a special blessing for all our Scouts. These young people embody what it means to be salt and light. Through their service projects, their commitment to honesty and kindness, and their willingness to help others, they are already living out the Gospel. They remind us that you are never too young to make a difference. We are grateful for their presence in our parish and for the families and leaders who support them. What a gift they are to our community!
After Sunday morning Masses, please join us for Pancake Breakfast hosted by our Youth Ministry team. The funds raised support sending our youth to Diocesean Youth Retreat (DYR) in Lake Tahoe.. This transformative weekend offers high schoolers (incoming freshman to seniors) the chance to grow in faith with peers through worship by the water, meaningful conversations, and plenty of laughter. Kalena, our Youth Minister, will be in Spooncer Hall after Masses to answer questions from high schoolers and parents. DYR registration opens soon and fills quickly, so watch for details. If you are interested, email Kalena here
This weekend, let us look into our own hearts: Where is my light shining? Where has it grown dim? Is there a relationship that needs more warmth? Is there a neighbor or stranger who needs to experience the love of Christ through me? May we make sure we do not use words of darkness but of the light. Let’s not buy into how others want to tear our communities apart. We are ONE community in the Body of Christ no matter what country we are from. Salt that has lost its flavor is good for nothing. A lamp hidden under a basket serves no one. We are called to live boldly, to love courageously, and to let the light of Christ shine through every word and every choice we make.
May we be the salt that preserves goodness and the light that drives out darkness, carrying the love of Christ into our families, our community, and our world.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan