Immediately after the Beatitudes, Jesus tells three very short parables about salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). By means of these images, Jesus emphasizes the enduring responsibilities His disciples have to the world; namely to live in the world and to help to transform it.
Salt gives flavor and to food. It adds zest and makes food taste more pleasant. Salt also can act as a preservative extending the tastefulness of food.
In the Old Testament, it was prescribed that everything offered to God should be seasoned with salt, signifying that the one offering must have a life flavorful and pleasing to God if the offering is to be accepted by God (cf. Leviticus 2:13).
Light is God’s first creative action. It is the symbol of the Lord God Himself, of heaven and of life. In contrast, darkness symbolizes chaos, death, evil and hell (cf. Gen 1:1-5).
We are salt and light whenever we are exemplary, competent, dutiful and honest; when we dedicate ourselves to our children and to our parents with as much time and devotion that they need; when we are cheerful, even in times of difficulty and suffering; when we are kind, patient and generous towards others.
For Jesus, being salt and light is hardly a stretch – it is how He expects us to live.
