"Kaangay kamo sang asin para sa mga tawo"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 5:13-16)

"Kaangay kamo sang asin para sa mga tawo. Pero kon ang asin indi na maarat, wala na sing paagi nga mapaarat pa ini. Wala na ini sing pulos kundi itampok sa dalan kag tapakon sang mga tawo. 

"Kaangay kamo sang kapawa para sa kalibutan. Ang siyudad nga napatindog sa ibabaw sang bakulod indi matago. 

Wala sing tawo nga nagasindi sing suga nga takluban man lang niya ini sang sulokban, kundi ginabutang niya ini sa tulongtongan agod maiwagan ang tanan nga yara sa balay. 

Subong man dapat ninyo pasigahon ang inyo kapawa sa mga tawo agod makita nila ang inyo maayo nga mga binuhatan, kag magadayaw sila sa inyo Amay nga yara sa langit."

Prayers:

“Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed”.

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Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Jesus used ordinary images, such as salt and light, to convey extraordinary truths. What does salt and light have to teach us about God and his reign on earth? Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world. People traded with it, like we trade with gold and stock. Salt also served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling. Jesus used the image of salt to describe how his disciples are to live in the world. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor, so the disciple of Christ must be salt in the world of human society to purify, preserve, and bring the flavor of God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and mercy.

What did Jesus mean by the expression " if salt has lost its taste...it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot" (Matthew 5:13)? Salt in the ancient world was often put in ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the foot path where it would easily get trodden upon (Matthew 5:13). Perhaps Jesus wanted to contrast useful salt and salt which lost its ability to prevent corruption to encourage his disciples to bring the rich flavor of Christ's love, purity, and righteousness to a world contaminated by greed, lust, and selfish ambition. Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ). Do you allow the fragrance of Christ's love, truth, and holiness to influence others through the witness of your life, speech, and actions?

Jesus also used the image of light and a lamp to further his illustration. Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood “light” as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God’s grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God’s kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception.

There is great freedom and joy for those who live in the light of God's truth and goodness. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God’s light?