Isaiah 58:7-10 / 1 Cor 2:1-5 / Matthew 5:13-16
Everything has a purpose, and when that purpose is achieved and fulfilled, then we can say that it works well and good.
So, if we buy a mobile phone or computer, we would expect it to work the way we want it to.
But if it operates in an erratic manner, or when we discover that it has manufacturing defects, then we would demand for a replacement or refund.
Certainly, we are not going to accept something that is malfunctioning and bear with the inconvenience.
And if there are no other options, then it would be better to just get rid of it, since it would be good for nothing.
Obviously when something does not function according to its purpose, then what is the use of having it around? It is just good for nothing and only fit for the rubbish bin.
In the gospel, Jesus uses two ordinary things in life to give us a teaching.
One of which is salt. Salt that has no taste is to be thrown away and even trampled underfoot by men, since it is good for nothing.
It is quite unimaginable for salt to have no taste. Regardless of what is said about the health concerns of salt, if it has no taste, then it is a fake or that it is not salt at all.
Similarly, to cover up a light does not make sense. Light is for everyone to see, and it should not be covered up or hidden.
Jesus is just stating the obvious, but that is also His teaching point for us.
Because what is obvious is often treated with indifference, and that is where malfunction or dysfunction sets in.
What is obvious is that God created humanity to be the best of all His creation. No one is good for nothing.
And because we are created in love and with love, the light of God's love shines in us so that we will be good for that something in God’s plan for us. So that is obvious.
But when what is obvious is treated with indifference, then what is good for something slowly becomes good for nothing.
We slowly lose the taste for life, and the light of our lives is slowly covered up and hidden from sight.
When indifference sets into our lives, malfunction and dysfunction will also slowly set in and we will forget who we obviously are.
We are in this world as Christians to give the world a taste of life, and to be sparks of light where there is darkness.
The 1st reading brings us back to the obvious basics in life as it says this:
“Share your bread with the hungry,
and shelter the homeless poor,
clothe the man you see to be naked
and do not turn from your own kin.
Then will your light shine like the dawn
and your wound be quickly healed over.”
And when we cry out to the Lord, He will answer us. When we call out to the Lord, He will say: I am here.
Let us always remember that God created us to be good for something. Let us never think that we are insignificant or good for nothing.
And even if we are just a little spark, still we must let it shine.
Because when people see the good works that we do, they will give praise to God, because He has created something good in us.