Salt
and light. This is one of those times when Jesus’ metaphors might seem strange
to our contemporary ears. We live in a time when many of us are trying to cut
down on salt, and we take light for granted. Buy the big navy and yellow
cardboard canister full of free-flowing salt and there it is, as much as we
want. Flip a switch as you walk in the door and your home is illuminated. Salt
and light are just there, whenever we want them.
In
Jesus time, salt was a commodity. Salt was painstakingly gathered by hand.
There were salt trade routes; many of them dangerous places where salt traders
risked their lives. Salt was traded for goods and services; it was used like
money. And salt was an essential for life, not just for adding flavor. Salt
preserved things and made them last for a long time: meat, citrus fruits,
animal skins for clothing and bedding. And, salt made eating the same thing day
after day have some savor; salt adds flavor.
Light
was scarce in Jesus time. Most people, except the very wealthy, rose and slept
with the rising of the sun. No lights indoors because the oil to burn for light
was expensive and better used for cooking than for light. Light was a luxury,
yet was essential for living. Without light crops do not grow. Light ensures
thriving.
If
there were ever an “insider sermon” Jesus preached, this one is it. Salt and
light are directed to the disciples. Yes, the crowd may have been listening,
but this whole section of Matthew’s Gospel is about how we, as disciples are
called to be in the world. Jesus uses these metaphors of salt and light as
declarations and blessings. They are not intended as “nice suggestions” from a
warm and fuzzy Jesus. Instead, they are directions for what we are to do and be
as followers of Jesus. Jesus was teaching the disciples, and now us as the
church. Jesus both declares and blesses us, to be salt and light. Jesus says this
is how you live, this is how you pray, this how you give, this is how you think
and act toward others if you are salt and light.
In
today’s world, salt comes in gourmet flavors and colours. But it comes to the
same thing: salt enhances flavor. Salt makes ordinary food taste better and
richer. Food has more zest and zing. And light still brings warmth and comfort.
It gives us the ability to see some things better and lights the darkness of
both the eyes and the soul.
Jesus wants us to
know that salt and light are only useful and meaningful when they enhance
something else. So if we are called to be salt and light, then how can we
enhance something else through the flavor of our faith and with the light of
our faith?
You
know how to be salt and light. I know you do. I’ve seen it in my brief visits
before I moved here. But do you know
you are salt and light?
This
is the time of year when most churches have annual meetings. What happens at
most annual meetings is what I call the “money and moaning” report. We talk
about how much we don’t have rather than what we do. We talk about what
happened in the past rather than our dreams for the future. Annual meetings
make me wonder why we don’t talk about who Jesus calls us to be and how we’re living
that out? Why don’t we have salt and light reports?
So
today, in anticipation of our time together as priest and people, I’d like to
ask you to do something. I figure, we might as well begin as we intend to go on,
otherwise it’s bait and switch.
Yes, this is a very
un-Episcopalian interactive sermon. Because what you focus on becomes your
reality. If we focus on “money and moaning” that’s what we’ll continue to have
as our reality. This morning, let’s take one small step into the future. It’s
in anticipation of next year’s annual reports when instead of “money and
moaning” we’ll talk about salt and light.
Here’s that small,
itty bitty, baby step. Think about salt and light right now. Think for a moment
when you have been salt and light for someone recently. (Long pause.) I know
you have thought of things already because I was watching your faces. Now turn
to the person next to you and share that story briefly. And then listen to the
other person tell you when he or she was salt and light recently. You might
have to move to find someone if you’re sitting by yourself today. If you have
trouble thinking of something you did, find someone you don’t know. Move to
that person and find out how they are salt and light. Their story will help you
remember how you were salt and light with your faith.
I know it will be
challenging. We’ve all been taught to be humble. This is a day to forget
someone told you or taught you that you should be a nice, humble Christian. I
hate to break this to you on our first Sunday together, but Jesus was neither
nice nor humble. He was loving and kind when he needed to be, but he was also a
lot of other things. None of them were nice or humble. Even foot washing was an
act of dignity on his part: demonstrating just how low you can go and still be
salt and light to others.
You may not agree
with me, so I ask you, would you call a person humble who says, “I am the Light
of the World?” Or how about “I am the Bread of Life?” I doubt it. So sharing
how you have been salt and light is
recognizing how you are following Jesus, and helping you recognize when you are
being salt and light in the future.
So will you do
that? Right now? When you do, we will be able to view that “money and moaning”
report for what it really is. And, we will see and know how and where we want
to be salt and light this year.
(I moved around the
church listening to people’s stories. When I returned to the front, I closed
with the following prayer.)
Thank you Jesus for
teaching us how to be salt and light to one another and to the world by
following you. Help us remember and cherish these stories so that when we look
at one another we know and recognize the salt and light in each of us in your name. AMEN.
The Rev Nicolette Papanek
© 2017
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