February 6, 2005 At Saint Mark Church in Norman, OK
Isaiah 58:7-10 + 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 + Matthew 5:13-16
These are verses immediately following last week’s Gospel.
Having described the qualities that mark disciples of Jesus
with the Beatitudes, Matthew now has Jesus speak in direct
address to affirm with two power images what is expected of us. This is the vision of community that Jesus has for those who call themselves his own: Salt and Light.
The presence of either one is unmistakable: when there is light, you see it, when there is salt you taste it. If either is missing, you know it very quickly. And so it is with disciples of Jesus. when they are present, you know it, when they are absent it is obvious.
The whole point here is simply that discipleship is for the sake of others. Salt is not eaten alone, but enhances other flavors or preserves other foods. Light is not self-contained but makes other things visible. Disciples are not called for their own sake, but for the sake of others. Disciples are once and for all expected to stand up and be counted. We are reminded today by all the readings that our spirituality as followers of Christ is very material. It concerns bread, home, body, flesh, and engagement in the painful realities of human suffering and need. The faith we share is exercised in real, concrete, material ways. To use an old image, there are “corporal works of mercy” just as important as “spiritual works of mercy”. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, or you have forgotten them, you need to look them up. The “works of mercy” are the foot prints of people following Jesus.
At a most superficial level, there seems to be a curious contradiction between what we hear today and what we hear on Wednesday. One says: “Let your light shine.” The other says: “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” The contradiction is only superficial, and it comes from glossing over who is being addressed. The second saying becomes an excuse for all sorts of selfish behavior, and after thirty-seven years as a priest, I’ve heard it all. That odd excuse for not coming to church or for not pledging in a drive or sharing in the support of the church with envelopes. Quoting the instruction of Jesus: “Go to your room and pray quietly”, or you should “not let your right hand know what the left is doing.” The fact that those instructions are being given to hypocrites who put on an artificial show seems to pass them right by.
To disciples of Jesus comes this vision of what we must be to walk together in the foot steps of Jesus. We are to be seen like a lamp on the stand, and we are to spice up and preserve things of this world. Today we are being called by the Archbishop to stand up and be counted, bear witness, and gratefully be good Stewards.
Listen first to his written words of encouragement, and then hear and heed his request for the sake of the church in western Oklahoma.