Set Your Light on a Hill and Draw Others to God

Sermon by Rev. John Paul Shea

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 5, 2017

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Tucson, AZ

In today’s Gospel (Matt 5:13-16), Our Lord Jesus describes the mission of His disciples by using the metaphors of salt and light. 

As we reflect on the images that our Lord gives to us, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that we can hear Our Lord’s call to be His witnesses to the world! 

"You are the salt of the earth.” We all know that salt is a precious commodity. In fact, in

ancient times salt was considered one of the most precious and costly of all commodities. Wars were fought both to protect and exploit salt deposits deep in the earth. 

Although salt is a commodity, salt really does not have much value in itself. It is valuable for what it does and how it affects other things. For example, in Jesus’ times salt was used to season and preserve meat. Along with preserving meat, salt is used to preserve and enhance the taste of food. 

Therefore, as Christians, we are to be like salt -- passionate about the faith we have been given. We are to preserve and enhance it and bring God’s love and truth to others.

In His metaphor of salt, Our Lord Jesus also warns us: “But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” 

My brothers and sisters, we have been given the Truth! Therefore, we are called to be on fire for our faith! 

If we throw our faith away and live for the world, then we are worse off than if we had never received the faith in the first place. For, nothing can be worse than allowing our faith to be stagnant and not grow.

In fact, in the Book of Revelation Our Lord warned He will be particularly stern with those who do nothing with the faith they have been given. “I know your works. I know that you are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out my mouth." (Rev 3:15-16) 

Jesus also uses the metaphor of light in today's Gospel. “You are the light of the world.”

My brothers and sisters, we are called to enlighten the world through the bold proclamation of the Gospel. Nothing about the challenges of the Gospel should remain hidden. The truths of our faith are to be fully exposed as bright as a light placed on a lampstand in a dark room!

Our Lord says also that we are to be a city on a hill. Our Lord says, “A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a

lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” In these words our Lord is not talking about a city such as San Francisco or New York or Paris. No! Our Lord is talking about our Church! 

In ancient times, a city on a hill was a point of navigation. Travelers would see the light to be guided toward their final destination.

Therefore, our Church is to lead the world in the right direction.This is why we have doctrines, unchangeable teachings that will lead others into the fullness of Truth. 

Our society is built on sand, and as such it will collapse. Yet, the Truths of our faith will remain forever.

The bottom line is that Christians are called to be vibrant witnesses!  “[Our] light must shine before others, that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] heavenly Father." 

Married couples are called to live their vocation of marriage as a witness of God’s plan for marriage. Single persons are called to glorify God by living chastely. We are called to lead others into the Truth regardless of whether or not they like what we represent! 

Today we are living in dark times. We are living in faithless times. Many are caught up in this world of sin and have lost sight of the road to eternal salvation. Many are unaware of the reality of eternal judgment. The gate of sin has opened wide. 

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be God's witnesses. Become His salt. Set your light on a hill so that many will be drawn to know and love God. May God bless us in this endeavour.