September 21, 2020
Jesus says…You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world… your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts.
Matthew 5:13-16
Today’s devotion is adapted from Slices from God’s Bread of Life, written by Father Robert Rooney. Father Rooney holds a special place in my heart. He married my parents and my husband and me. One could say he’s like family. Actually, he is family. He’s my dad’s cousin.
Our family has a long history of loving popcorn. We’ve enjoyed countless bowls of popcorn over the years. (Could it be because we are from Nebraska?) Can you imagine eating popcorn without salt? Father Rooney describes how a salt-free diet can be tasteless even with substitutions. A diet with salt is a different experience. It can be so tasteful. Salt adds something really good to food.
Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.” He’s asking us to add something good to the lives of others, to arouse and stimulate the appetites of those around us.
Have you been salt to those around you? In your marriage, to people in your work place, or your family? Do you share yourself, your clothing, your bread to make life tasteful to others? Or do you make life distasteful by turning your back? Think of examples of people who made the bread of our lives tasteful this week. Should we tell them that they were the salt of our lives?
Jesus also says, “You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly father.”
How many have recently praised God due to your acts?
Dear Lord, help us to live up to the trust you have in us. Encourage us to gather together to perform good acts this week in your name. Let us be the light and salt of the earth together.
Elizabeth Geenen