Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead, it is put on a lampstand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.

Reflections
“You are the light of the world.”The passage is part of Jesus’ dis­course on the Mount of Beatitudes. He says “… You are the light” after shouting out to the crowds the eight beatitudes. Jesus’ listeners are considered light of the world. They are instruments of Jesus in giving light to the world. They must not be ashamed to shine. They must speak out, make Jesus’part of their conversation with other peo­ple they encounter on the way. In Galilee, where Jesus speaks there are many Gentiles. The Gentiles must see the light.The disciples do not work un­derground, keeping secret their ac­tivities which court suspicion. Jesus reminds them, “let your light shine before others.” They must work in the open. The purpose is that others may see their good deeds, leading them to glorify God.We Christians must monitor how we live our faith. Do we shine in the midst of other people? Do people detect something good and deep in us? Do they listen to our words?If they appreciate what we are saying and doing and they want more from us, our lights must be shining brilliantly before them. If they are now praising God because of our good deeds, our light must be shining.If we are not listened to and not recognized as Christians and don’t lead others to praise God, we are ac­tually coward and closet Christians.Blessed are we if our lights shine before others.
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