I love the story of the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zerephath.  She trusts the promise of the prophet.  She will be taken care of, if she relies upon the fidelity of God and acts hospitably in caring for the prophet before herself and her son.  Of course, God is faithful and she and her son are provided for.  But, oh, what a risk, what faith!  I love the story because it leads me to ask for the grace to trust in God's fidelity to me to such a degree that I might care for others with greater self-forgetful-ness.

And I love the directness of Jesus.  We are the "salt."  How important we are for life on this earth to have "flavor."  Life is "taste-less" if we do not live our lives credibly.  If we don't live our lives as witnesses that we are loved by God and are preparing to spend eternal life sharing God's love by giving our love away here, then what else could "preserve" life's meaning?   All of life's experiences - no matter how fulfilling, rich, or full of pleasure - will eventually "spoil" and leave us unsatisfied.

Jesus says we are like "light."  It defeats our very purpose to "cover up" our gifts.  He knows that if we don't use our gifts then others can not as easily give God praise.  In fact, if we don't let our light shine, we eventually forget we have gifts or forget they are gifts - given to share. 

Oh, Lord, let us give flavor to this world.  Continue to nourish the gifts you give us.  Help us to acknowlege, accept and appreciate what you give us.  Fill us with your Spirit, that our lights might shine for all to see - that all might see you as the Giver of all good gifts, and give you thanks and praise.