Well, as I said last week, it is good to be away for a time but it is
always good to be back home too! I arrived home late last Sunday evening to the
frozen north. The winter storm we are having today, Wednesday, is in stark
contrast to what I have been used to for the past 2 weeks! However, every
climate and season has its value. No doubt the warm sun, the flowers and the
beaches of Curacao were beautiful, but the white blanket covering everything in
sight today, is just as breathtaking in its own way. I suppose one can say,
“That’s life in Canada, eh?” In any case, while I had a wonderful time in
Curacao, I am happy to be home again and back to a regular daily routine.
Please remember that we have 3 parish functions happening in the next
few weeks: February 16th is the retirement party for Bev Carpenter.
February 22nd is our Annual Pasta Dinner and on March 1st
and 2nd, the Knights of Columbus will be hosting our Annual Pancake
Breakfast Weekend. Please keep these dates in mind and attend if you are able.
What can salt and light have to teach us about God and his reign on
earth? Jesus used ordinary images, such as salt and light, to convey
extraordinary truths about the kingdom of God. Salt was a valuable commodity in
the ancient world. People traded with it, like we trade with gold and
stock. Salt also served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the
invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food
flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling. Jesus used the image of salt
to describe how his disciples are to live in the world. As salt purifies,
preserves, and penetrates, so the disciple must be as salt in the world of
human society to purify, preserve, and penetrate that society for the kingdom
of God and of his righteousness and peace.
Jesus also used the image of light and a lamp to further his
illustration. Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like
they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid
stumbling. The Jews also understood “light” as an expression of the inner
beauty, truth, and goodness of God. God’s grace not only illumines the
darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and
peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are
to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the
darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the
hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God’s
kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of
Christ.
Fr. Phil
