The fine training we have received makes us the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world if we have the discipline to do what is right because it is right.

Tuesday, 6/12/12

Jesus tells you and me that we are the salt of the earth and we are the light of the world. In calling us the salt of the earth and the light of the world Jesus is viewing us as people who have been gifted with fine training. From our parents, teachers, and others we received solid training that prepared us to live productive, disciplined lives.

Those parents, teachers, and the others put time and money into our training. Year after year they provided us with good food and good clothing and school expenses. They devoted themselves to instilling good habits in us. In calling us the salt of the earth Jesus is referring to us as the recipients of their generosity.

In calling us the light of the world Jesus refers to the good we can do for others by putting to work the fine training we have received.

This Sunday evening I had dinner with two nuns. One of them has been teaching in our grade schools for fifty years, and the other has been at it almost as long. They were both bemoaning an  attitude that has  taken hold of kids and sometimes of their parents.

They keep hearing kids say, “I can’t do that. It isn’t any fun.” Many parents echo that complaint. They say,  “That course is wrong for my child. It isn’t any fun for her.”

We are salt that has lost is savor and we are lights hidden under baskets when our self-love turn us back on ourselves, when our lack of discipline leaves us without the ability to do what is right because it is right.