As we continue to listen to Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, today’s Gospel gives us two simple yet deeply challenging images: salt and light. They are ordinary things, taken from daily life, yet Jesus uses them to describe the identity and mission of every disciple.
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”
Not you should be, or you might become, but you are. Jesus is not setting an optional goal here; He is naming who we already are by virtue of our relationship with Him.
Salt That Has Not Lost Its Taste
Salt, in the ancient world, was precious. It preserved food, brought flavour, and prevented decay. When Jesus speaks about salt losing its taste, He is warning us about a faith that becomes diluted – still present in name, but no longer effective.
I find this confronting. It invites me to ask: Has my faith become too comfortable? Too cautious? Too blended in with the surrounding culture? Salt only works when it is distinct. If it becomes indistinguishable from everything else, it no longer serves its purpose.
Christian discipleship is not meant to be aggressive or self-righteous, but it must remain distinctive. The Gospel should flavour our decisions, our priorities, and the way we treat others. If our faith makes no difference to how we live, then perhaps it has lost some of its savour.
Light That Is Not Hidden
Jesus then shifts the image: “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel.” Light is not meant to draw attention to itself; it simply does what it is meant to do – it illuminates.
This challenges me to reflect on how visible my faith is. Not in loud or performative ways, but in the quiet consistency of everyday life. Light is most noticeable in darkness, and in a world that often feels uncertain or fragmented, small acts of faithfulness matter more than we realise.
Sometimes we hesitate to let our light shine because we fear judgement or misunderstanding. Yet Jesus does not say, “Make others admire you.” He says, “So that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” The focus is always God, never ourselves.
Witness Through Ordinary Faithfulness
Salt works quietly. Light works steadily. Neither draws attention to itself, yet both are essential.
For me, this Gospel is not about grand gestures. It is about ordinary faithfulness – how I speak, how I listen, how I forgive, how I show patience, how I remain hopeful. These are the places where the Gospel becomes tangible.
I am reminded that discipleship is not lived primarily in extraordinary moments, but in the steady rhythm of daily life. When faith is lived with integrity, it naturally becomes salt and light for others.
A Question to Carry This Week
As I sit with this passage, one simple question stays with me:
Where am I being invited to let my faith be just a little more visible, and a little more faithful?
Not louder. Not harsher. Just clearer.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You call us the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Give us the grace to live our faith with integrity and humility,
so that our lives may quietly point others toward You.
Amen.
Bishop David Walker