I
invited Fr. Bobby Ebisa, SVD the Station Manager of DYRF Radio Fuerza to
celebrate one of the Novena Masses in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. He gave an
inspiring and insightful homily. Using a simple illustration, he narrated an
example of a chocolate that falls on the dining hall. After several minutes it
will soon be surrounded by thousands of covetous ants. You would not know where
they came from; but from all over, they come, attracted by the sugar-coated
content of the chocolate, to take a bite of its sweetness. He, then, challenged
the parishioners to be like chocolates. Our goodness must be attractive and
delightful. We are to give flavor to life.
Jesus,
in today’s gospel, had been challenging us ever since to be “salt of the earth
and light of the world.” In chemistry, salt is known as sodium chloride a
mineral substance that is of great importance to the health of both human and
animals. Salt lends flavor to food items. I remember a parishioner who gave
cupcakes for snacks. But they turned out to be so salty because, instead of
sugar, much salt was added into them. Moreover, there are more uses of salt
than food seasoning. Salt can also be used to eliminate odors of garbage or
fish. It can be used to alleviate discomfort from sore throat by gargling salt
with warm water several times a day. Salt can also be used as effective
antibacterial and antifungal agent.
When
Jesus compared his followers to salt, he challenged us to be “seasoned” by the
new life which comes from him. Our faith in Jesus should be like salt that
lends flavor and seasoning to our life. In a world full of anxiety and worry,
we are to give joy and inspire hope. In a story, two men peered through the
window. One saw mud, the other saw the stars. As Christians, we should always
choose see the stars. We choose to be hopeful, joyful and full of life. We are
to be bearers of the good news of Jesus to improve the quality of life of the
world.
Prayer:
Lord, like salt, may my life be an effective flavoring that will allow those
around me to flourish. Amen.
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