When I woke up this morning, the sunlight from my window was so bright it made me close my eyes again.  It was as if God was saying, “Daughter, close your eyes, and I will kiss your face.” When I opened my eyes again, the bright sunlight made me feel vulnerable, as though all my thoughts could be heard, and everything hidden could be seen.  It is so because light illuminates; light reveals our submerged fears. Light brings forth awareness; light dispels the darkness. Light becomes a witness to our journey as children of God.  We are bearers of the light. 

The Gospel today speaks of our role as salt and light.  These two elements are known to enhance and influence what they encounter.  How have we, as children of God, enhanced the well-being of those around us?  How have we been a positive influence in our homes, our communities, in our world?  How have we been the light which illuminates the word of God?  Have we been the light that raised others out of darkness?  Have we spoken of the goodness of those around us so we might enhance and illuminate their presence, unique style, and flavor? 

Every morning, as we are gifted another day, we are awoken with a kiss from God and sent forth to be salt and light.  It is easy to forget how the difficulties and annoyances of the day can make us lose our taste, make us dim our light, or hide our light. What are those things that make us lose our taste for life and our taste for the word of God?  What are those things that prevent us from being the one who brings light into a dark situation or the one who lights a path for others in the true spirit of leadership?  Our daily task to be salt and light has put us in a position of being a lighthouse near the sea.  If we turn off our light, those who encounter us will not be able to see our good deeds or revel in God’s glory that shines within us and around us, showing the way. 

When was the last time we did a self-check on the state of our spiritual light?  Has it dimmed over time? Has our light been hidden for a while? Have we lost our energy to enhance the goodness in ourselves and in others?  Have we lost our zeal to highlight the talents, skills, and beauty of those around us who have been relegated to reside under the bushel basket of life?  I sometimes wonder if I have lost my ability to be salt as a member of the body of Christ.  I wonder if the pains, burdens, and heartbreaks of life have dimmed my ability to be light for others. So much so that even when God wakes me up in the morning with the task of being salt and light, I closed my eyes and hid in the darkness of my eyelids.  As I long to be salt and light for those around me, I simply ask for God’s mercy and the grace to always start my day with a kiss from God.

My friends, we have been called to be a positive influence on those around us.  We have been called to be enhancing agents of the goodness in the world, which seems hidden sometimes.  We have been called to be a force for positive change, witness, and light which illuminates the word of God. So, let us set ourselves on spiritual lampstands and shine brightly for the glory of God. It is our role as Church.