YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Jesus said that to the disciples and as followers of Christ, He says that to us today.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS.
In our Christian walk we are called to add flavor to the meal. The meal is life.
Our salt is not the meal, but is needed to make life flavorful and make it a banquet.
What a tremendous calling we have to make a positive difference in our world.
But Jesus was aware of the devil’s influence in the world and knew that it would take an effort to keep the salt from going flat. It’s inevitable.
We bring new meaning to life; a GIVING SPIRIT.
Isaiah says that if:
we share our bread with the hungry,
provide shelter for the homeless
and clothe for the naked,
that the Lord will answer us when we call.
Paul tells his followers that his message was not one of pursuasive words but one that demonstarted the giving Spirit and the Power of God.
World Marriage Day is an observance sponsored by American organisation Worldwide Marriage Encounter, associated with the CatholicMarriage Encounter movementand observed on second Sunday of February each year.
Its purpose is declared to be: "World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life."
Anyone who has been married for more then a few months knows the spirit of the love that is shared can go flat, just as salt. But we have entered into a loving covenant with our spouse and our God. With God’s guidance we can restore the salt’s freshness.
First we must be sure that the devil has not weaseled his way into our minds.
When I prepared for this homily I read the entire chapter 5. The Sunday Gospel stopped at 5:18 but if you read down to 5:27 you see Our Lord’s challenge;
27* “You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
We know that pornography is of epic proportions today and we certainly cannot allow the devil to get a foothold into hearts. IT IS SELFISHNESS PERSONIFIED.
We must avoid the mind games that go unnoticed and avoid the argument:
“I’M NOT HURTING ANYONE”.
For indeed you are hurting your spouse and your relationship.
A rule of thumb: WOULD YOU BE LOOKING AT PORN IF YOUR MOTHER WAS IN THE ROOM?
Remember that we are called to help each other get to heaven.
Our faithfulness keeps the flavor in the salt.
Active ways to restore the freshness in our lives and relationships:
Number 1 is PRAYER: (When we are tempted by what we can find on the internet, shut off the computer and go and pray with your spouse.)
Also pray often.
Number 2 is STUDY: (Our church library has many worthwhile books that are food for our souls.)
And finally SHARE: When we share we allow the salt to come out of the bottle
to add flavor to other lives around us.
We have small sharing groups that are active in our parish and they would welcome new members. Call the office and talk to Janice LaVelle to see.