In today’s Gospel we are still with the disciples on the hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, listening to Jesus forming them for the mission ahead in which they are to help him build “the kingdom of heaven” here on earth. Having listened to his radical vision of the Beatitudes, the disciples might have been sitting there thinking, “How on earth are we supposed to do this? We are not religious experts or highly trained missionaries – we are just ordinary people!” Reading their thoughts, Jesus encourages them by saying “You are salt of the earth… and the light of the world.” What is Jesus saying here and what does it mean for me and you?

Salt preserves the goodness of things, it brings out the true taste of food and can also be used for healing wounds. Light illumines the darkness, warns us of the dangers around us and guides us safely home. This is how we are to be for each other. This is what the kingdom is to be – lives given generously to help bring out the goodness in others, to bring meaning and healing to others, to guide people into the light of truth and faith. It is the power of self-giving, transforming love to drive out the poison of sin and selfishness from the world. We can all love, or learn how to love from Jesus.

Note how Jesus says: “You are salt… You are the light…” not “You are to become the salt…the light.” So, it is not in our own talents/initiatives that we are to build this kingdom – no, it is by God’s gift already present within us that we can shine and bring the world alive. The disciples/we simply need to be fully open to the Spirit of God living in us and working through us. We already have all we need – we just have to work with God and let his light shine through us. Trust. Surrender. Believe. Act!

Please pray this week for our new Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth, who will be installed at Westminster Cathedral this Saturday. He will celebrate Vespers on Friday at 5.30pm (open to all). The Mass on Saturday (12 noon) is ticket only but you can watch Vespers/Mass on the Cathedral livestream – live or catch-up: www.westminstercathedral.org.uk.


With blessings & prayers from Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem & all the parish team
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