Matthew 5:13-20(2026)<\/p>\n
Holy God, your mysteries surround and astound us each day. Send your Holy Spirit to open the mysteries of Scripture for us so that our understanding is refreshed and courage to follow Christ renewed. Amen.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday we read and reflected on the beatitudes<\/p>\n
The beatitudes are the opening of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew\u2019s gospel<\/p>\n
They are gentle, heart stirring sayings that tell of some of the ways God is present in the life of the believer<\/p>\n
They could be considered to be the wisdom sayings of the gospels<\/p>\n
The words of inspiration for those who walk with Jesus<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s section of the Sermon on the Mount is a nudge to do something with that wisdom and inspiration<\/p>\n
Jesus says you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth<\/p>\n
Each is an important quality<\/p>\n
Light shows the way and so can give confidence<\/p>\n
This morning we sang<\/p>\n
Arise your light is come! The Spirit\u2019s call obey<\/p>\n
Shiw forth the glory of your God who shines on you today.<\/p>\n
The theme of light has been well developed in hymns and gospel songs, and after today\u2019s gospel lesson and hymns you are probably expecting to hear how to let your little light shine<\/p>\n
Well you are, but with a salty twist<\/p>\n
Each of these images is powerful, helpful and cherished<\/p>\n
And they do work together<\/p>\n
If we are the light of the world, we can not help but be the salt of the earth<\/p>\n
In Matthew 5 Jesus says to his disciples, \u201cYou are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?<\/p>\n
It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyday, common salt<\/p>\n
What an odd thing to call the disciples!<\/p>\n
We put salt in our food<\/p>\n
We spread it on icy roads and sidewalks<\/p>\n
We use it<\/p>\n
But we don\u2019t really give much thought to salt<\/p>\n
It is so common, so available<\/p>\n
But if salt is common, it certainly is not unimportant<\/p>\n
In ancient times, salt was considered so valuable that it was used as currency<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where we get the word salary \u2013 it originally meaning soldier\u2019s salt-money<\/p>\n
Salt was a necessity of life in biblical times.<\/p>\n
Used as a condiment and a preservative<\/p>\n
It was also part of the sacrificial rituals of the Temple<\/p>\n
Salt was used with cereal offerings, burnt offerings and incense in the prayers offered to God<\/p>\n
Because salt has always been important to eating<\/p>\n
It became a symbol of hospitality<\/p>\n
To eat salt, or share the salt, with a person was to enjoy table companionship and to forge an unbreakable bond with that person<\/p>\n
This practise gave rise to the expression \u201ca covenant of salt\u201d which is found in two of the books of law in the Bible, namely Numbers and Second Chronicles<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We know that salt can make quite a difference.<\/p>\n
It has a special ability to permeate and penetrate<\/p>\n
It flavours food,\u00a0 and keeps things from going bad<\/p>\n
Salt helps clean things<\/p>\n
People who exercise vigorously need to make sure when they drink lots of water that they do not deplete the salts in their system.<\/p>\n
So when Jesus calls his disciples \u201csalt of the earth\u201d,<\/p>\n
he is not giving them a compliment the way we use that phrase, about people who are particularly fine people<\/p>\n
He is telling them what a disciple in the kingdom of God is like<\/p>\n
First, Jesus\u2019 disciples are to flavour the world with the values of God\u2019s reign: justice, love, peace, compassion<\/p>\n
Second, they are to preserve human life and prevent decay in society<\/p>\n
Third they are to work quietly, even invisibly, to bring out the best in humanity.<\/p>\n
Fourth, they are to embody the companionship and hospitality that salt represents<\/p>\n
And finally<\/p>\n
Disciples are not to live in isolation from the world.<\/p>\n
Salt is never complete in itself<\/p>\n
It is an ingredient in a greater whole<\/p>\n
Its job is to be mingled with other ingredients<\/p>\n
To be lost in a mixture – To affect other things<\/p>\n
In calling his disciples salt<\/p>\n
Jesus is saying what the prophets said time and time again to Israel<\/p>\n
That faith in God is real only when it is lived out in society and in the context of the whole creation<\/p>\n
The covenant with God includes our connectedness with our human brothers and sisters<\/p>\n
As we hear in Isaiah 58<\/p>\n
We cannot worship God and at the same time pursue our own interests, oppress workers, quarrel and fight<\/p>\n
Sharing food with the hungry, removing the chains of oppression<\/p>\n
These are as important as prayer in the worship of God<\/p>\n
This truth was lived out by the late Archbishop Romero of El Salvador<\/p>\n
Archbishop Romero of El Salvador came to his position in the 1970s as one comfortable with the ruling class<\/p>\n
He was also one who was somewhat conservative in his vision of the church<\/p>\n
Still he could not remain blind to the terrible oppression of the poor peasants, teachers, community workers and priests<\/p>\n
These people were struggling for basic necessities such as clean water, decent housing, education and health care<\/p>\n
Gradually Romero became outspoken,<\/p>\n
He came to be a courageous and beloved leader of the people as he tried to convince the government and it military to stop the torturing and killings of farmers, workers and priests<\/p>\n
He himself then became a threat to the small but powerful ruling elite<\/p>\n
He was assassinated by one of the death squad in March 1980 while celebrating mass<\/p>\n
On his death he became an even more powerful symbol for the people working for freedom<\/p>\n
Archbishop Romero encouraged Christians in his country, as the church, to be salt in the midst of their great suffering,<\/p>\n
giving flavour and remaining deeply committed even while surrounded by the threat of death<\/p>\n
Many Salvadoran Christians truly became salt of the earth,<\/p>\n
They found themselves to be giving the flavour of faithfulness, compassion and sanity in the midst of insane cruelty of the 1970s and 80s,<\/p>\n
As salt of the earth they were trying to prevent the decay of human life into greed and destruction<\/p>\n
It is the quality of saltiness that gives salt its identity and purpose<\/p>\n
So the quality of faithfulness to Jesus, even under hardship gives disciples identity and purpose<\/p>\n
Jesus knew that following him would not be easy<\/p>\n
And might well bring suffering and persecution to his followers<\/p>\n
It would be tempting to slacken in one\u2019s discipleship and to go along with the ways of the world for safety\u2019s sake<\/p>\n
But Jesus likens this to salt losing its saltiness<\/p>\n
An impossibility really<\/p>\n
So it is impossible for disciples to lose commitment to the way of love and justice and still be disciples<\/p>\n
If society\u2019s pressure or persecution cause the salt of the earth to lose saltiness they are of no more use as disciples<\/p>\n
On the other hand, through the disciples\u2019 good works, God\u2019s love and goodness are revealed<\/p>\n
Then the persecutors or scorners may changes their ways to glorify God<\/p>\n
They will be converted<\/p>\n
In a little study book written in 1963 called \u201cSalty Christians\u201d we read about conversion to Christ<\/p>\n
This book was written by a minister of the Swiss Reformed Church, Hans-Rudi Weber and he said:<\/p>\n
It has been said that every Christian needs a double conversion; conversion from the world to Christ, and conversion to service with Christ in the world \u2013 to holy worldliness. This understanding of the Christian life can lead us to become the salt of the earth \u2013 salty Christians who share in Christ\u2019s ministry to the world, with all the people of God<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Conversion from the world to Christ<\/p>\n
And conversion to service with Christ in the world.<\/p>\n
True Christians are contagiously human, writes Weber<\/p>\n
To be contagiously human, to share the truly human life that Christ exemplifies and lifts up<\/p>\n
Is to leave behind pride, exclusiveness, jealousy, self-righteousness<\/p>\n
It is to give up blandness and boredom and longing for the good old days<\/p>\n
It is to take risks, to move forward with excitement following where the Risen Christ leads<\/p>\n
It is to see others with compassion and welcome them in love<\/p>\n
To share hope<\/p>\n
To loose the bonds of injustice<\/p>\n
To share bread with the hungry<\/p>\n
To be worth our salt<\/p>\n
Salty Christians<\/p>\n
Salt of the earth<\/p>\n
Permeating the world with the love and hope of Christ<\/p>\n
To be salt of the earth is sometimes a daunting calling given the breadth and depth of suffering in the world<\/p>\n
But the good news is that change for the better is happening by God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n
And we are participants in that transformation in such things as the ongoing work of our church through Presbyterian World Service and Development<\/p>\n
We work like salt with global partners to improve the flavour of life for many people in many ways<\/p>\n
Through our support, and the faithful work of staff and partners worldwide:<\/p>\n
Change is happening by the Spirit-led generosity and compassion of Presbyterians in Canada and our sisters and brothers in Christ, both around the world and at home<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s Mission Moment reminds us of a \u201csalty\u201d project that the PCC made possible that is close to home:<\/p>\n
For the past 112 years, the members of Zion Church in Charlottetown have had to make their way down the stairs to the main reception hall and up the stairs to the Youth Centre and Sunday school classrooms. Thanks to a congregational loan from The Presbyterian Church in Canada, all three floors of this historic church will soon be accessible to anyone with mobility issues. Finding a location that would structurally work for the installation of a three-storey lift wasn\u2019t an easy task. All those who made this badly needed addition a reality are to be commended for their tireless efforts. While fundraising efforts are now underway, it was the financial support of the PCC that allowed this project to come to fruition.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wherever believers are found, we are the salt of the earth<\/p>\n
To be the salt of the earth is to be aware of what is happening in the world, to make the suffering of creation our own and then to rest upon God to show us what to do (\u201cLaudto Si.\u201d Pope Francis, 2015)<\/p>\n
As we listen to and watch the news we are reminded of authority that is harsh and greedy<\/p>\n
We may be so filled with despair that the invitation to be salt of the earth may seem to be ineffective in the face of such evil<\/p>\n
The words of Jesus speak to this<\/p>\n
Because<\/p>\n
We are not isolated, individual grains of salt<\/p>\n
Salty Christians cannot and do not go it alone<\/p>\n
We share in Christ\u2019s ministry to the world with all the people of God<\/p>\n
From other places, other communions and denominations<\/p>\n
We work quietly and steadily to be used by God to bring about the best in humanity<\/p>\n
God is able to accomplish within and among us things beyond our imagining<\/p>\n
Properly seasoned by God\u2019s loving purpose<\/p>\n
We discover gladly the surprising ways in which God is leading us and the world into wholeness and new life<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n God of justice and righteousness,<\/p>\n thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ<\/p>\n who came to live out your love in this world.<\/p>\n Thank you for his words and deeds<\/p>\n that challenge and guide us today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We pray for those who need your justice, Lord:<\/p>\n For those who sleep on the cold streets,<\/p>\n those who do not have enough to eat,<\/p>\n and those who worry about how to make ends meet for their families.<\/p>\n (Keep silence for ten seconds\u2026)<\/em><\/p>\n We pray for all those facing violence,<\/p>\n in their homes or communities,<\/p>\n for nations engulfed in conflict<\/p>\n and for places struggling to recover after flooding, drought, storm or unrest.<\/p>\n (Keep silence for ten seconds\u2026)<\/em><\/p>\n We pray for refugees and political prisoners,<\/p>\n for children who must work instead of going to school<\/p>\n and for parents who long to give their children a better life.<\/p>\n (Keep silence for ten seconds\u2026)<\/em><\/p>\n Sustain each of these people with your hope<\/p>\n that their needs can be fulfilled and rights restored.<\/p>\n Empower us to use our resources to do what we can for them,<\/p>\n and give strength and courage to advocates and aid workers<\/p>\n who bring hope to birth in many places.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We pray for all who need your healing touch, Lord:<\/p>\n for people who are confused or afraid,<\/p>\n for those in hospitals and nursing homes and those who care for them,<\/p>\n for all who are dealing with long-term disability, mental illness,<\/p>\n long Covid and the many illnesses circulating this winter,<\/p>\n and for those who have encountered loss through the death of a beloved,<\/p>\n change in circumstance or disappointed hopes.<\/p>\n (Keep silence for ten seconds\u2026)<\/em><\/p>\n Surround each one with your peace and comfort<\/p>\n so that hope for healing will be renewed each day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Compassionate God,<\/p>\n make us salt and light for the world, not by presuming we know best how to fix others<\/p>\n but as compassionate and caring neighbours, unafraid to reach out.<\/p>\n Encourage us with your grace and inspire us by your Holy Spirit,<\/p>\n for you are always with us.<\/p>\n We gather all our prayers into one voice, praying in Jesus\u2019 name Amen<\/p>\n Commission and Blessing<\/strong><\/p>\n Go in faith to be salt of the earth and light for the world in Jesus\u2019 name.<\/p>\n May God\u2019s love restore you.<\/p>\n May Christ\u2019s teaching inspire you.<\/p>\n May the Holy Spirit equip you to serve in a world that is ready to receive you,<\/p>\n blessed by God, holy One and holy Three.<\/p>\n Amen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Matthew 5:13-20(2026) Holy God, your mysteries surround and astound us each day. Send your Holy Spirit to open the mysteries of Scripture for us so that our understanding is refreshed and courage to follow Christ renewed. Amen. Last Sunday we read and reflected on the beatitudes The beatitudes are the opening of the Sermon on … Continue reading “Sermon Feb 8th, 2026”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"sermons_blog_filters_topics":"\t\t\t\t