Little Ladies Rockers

on Mt 5:13-16

V SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME / A

Lectio divina on Mt 5:13-16

The just shines a light

Invoking
O God, O God, who manifests in the madness of the cross as your wisdom is far from the logic of the world, grant us the true spirit of the Gospel, so ardent in their faith and tireless charity become light and salt of the earth. Amen.

Read
13 "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be salted? A good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by the people.
14 You are the light of the world can not be hidden is a city on a hill, 15 No one lights a lamp puts it under a bushel, but on the lamp stand, and so does light to all in the house. 16 Thus Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. "

A moment of silent reflection so that the Word can enter into us and enlighten our lives.

useful steps to meditation
Jn 1:9, 3.21, 8.12; 9,1-7.10-13.16.34-39, 6.6 Gb; Bar 6.27; Lev 2:13; 4.21 to 22 Mc, 9.50, Psalm 119:105, 1 John 2.8 to 11, Fil 2.14-16, Rev 21:24, Lk 8.16, Ephesians 5,8-9.13; 1 Corinthians 10.31; 1 Pet 2.12

Understanding
After the proclamation of the beatitudes, in his "Sermon on the Mount" the Lord continues to define directly to those who want to be faithful, with two titles, including at least one is quite problematic, "salt of the earth" and "Light of the World."
The difficulty of the symbolism of salt is a primary obstacle to a correct understanding of the saying of Jesus, the experiences of each may change the view we have of this mineral. Before the advent of refrigeration salt was considered an excellent preservative and is used to give flavor to food, the ancient nomads and Palestinian farmers near the Dead Sea used it to heat up because of its combination with bitumen, and for us modern (but even for the ancients, Ezra (4:14) calls the Persian officials "those who eat the salt of the palace ') indicates the means of economic survival, "the person" well-known reference to the "salt of wisdom", a ritual that was introduced in the baptism from the superstitions of the barbaric culture of the early Middle Ages, but the completely unknown to all the ancient churches.
The text of the Gospel makes it clear that the continuity and visibility of those who work for the kingdom of God are well highlighted by images of salt and the oil lamp, which can never fail to function (to give flavor and light). Jesus therefore a task entrusted to his disciples, the land needs of today and I will taste is the salt of the earth!

Meditation
v. 13: You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be salted? A good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by the people. the grammatical form is used in the second person plural, as if to take up the subject of 5.11 to 12. Jesus calls his disciples as the salt of the earth, so salt is intended to exercise a function on the ground, men. At the same time 'a warning to keep in flavor, not to be poor or already expired is likely to be insignificant for all. The evangelist Mark helps us understand the function that is here: "Everyone will be salted with fire indeed. Good What is the salt, but if the salt has become tasteless, with what you give flavor? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another "(9.49 to 50). We have these words in a sacrificial content that refers to Lev 2:13. The insistence on
triple rooms, and a definition of "salt with salt 'shows that offering the sacrifice," memorial on the altar, the sacrifice of sweet aroma to the Lord "(Lev 2.2 b), the holy of holies among sacrifices of the Lord (Lev 2.3 b) must be fully prepared, well seasoned and well cooked, to be true sacrifice in which you participate spiritually first, and then the banquet as a sign of communion.
Every disciple must be prepared to be with the Lord, this sacrifice of sweet aroma to the God of the covenant, redemption and communion of the earth among men. If the salt does not have any such sacrificial function, will have no appreciation "from outside". You must have this sacrificial halls inside the heart, and then the spiritual sacrifice will be peace on earth.
There is thus a dimension of responsibility and awareness of vocations in the life of the believer. He must measure his life, the meaning of things he does, not only in reference to himself, but in reference to the whole world through the eyes of God
vv. 14-15: You are the light of the world can not remain a city that is hidden on a mountain, or light a candle and put under a bushel, but on the lamp stand, and so does light to all in the house. addition of salt the image Jesus uses the image too light, another reality with a very specific service. The background is Is 2:2-5. The image of light is part of the invitation to Israel: "House of Jacob, come, walk in the light of the Lord" (2.5). In Is 42:6; 49.6 Israel is called to be a "light unto the nations." Paul takes up this theme of the vocation of Israel in Rom 2.19 ('a light to those who are in darkness. ")
Another message to the disciples: "You are the light of the world." How? We view the world not because produce some light, but because we are enlightened by Jesus So every disciple is light with all its poverty and weakness. He is the one who should be capable of transmitting light to enable the real world to navigate and drive. If our life was lit up this is not only a view of ourselves and of our way, but in view of the way of all: Jesus is illuminated by light which we in turn become a light for others.
The sense of mission is this: it is a "brainwashing" is not the way of Jesus is to let others see the light that we saw ourselves so that others can enjoy it as us. The encounter between Saul and Ananias an example to us (cf. Acts 9.1 to 19). All this is done with words, but accompanying them with an existence that would take its direction from the light of Jesus
The Psalmist reminds us that God's word is a lamp for our path (Ps 119:105). If our lives are enlightened by the Gospel effectively and preserves the fidelity to the Gospel in the midst of the state of the world, it immediately becomes witness to the light.
To understand these words, Jesus uses the comparison of the tub (container to measure the grain, used as a shelf). The light is at the top to shine throughout the house (Mk 4.21, Lk 8.16, 11.33).
This expression is easily understood if we refer to the custom of the time of Jesus, then the flame was obtained from fat, and with a puff off one of those lamps meant to fill the room of an unbearable stench.
For this they used to put a bushel basket or other container that was to hand over the flame, getting that went out from lack of oxygen without the stench.
Christ simply says that the light should not be turned off, but must always illuminating. It must be like a lighthouse located close to the port that lights up the route.
v. 16: So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to the Father your in heaven. The final verse of this passage contains the reasons that the Lord gives this feature: that light has shone before men as a good example (cf. Rom 14.18; Phil. 2:15; Fm 6, Ephesians 5:8 - 9, 1 Pet 2.12).
The disciples did not live for themselves, self-sufficient in a corner of the world, but in public, visible and accessible to men.
The text requires a transformation of the Christian life that may be able to convince people. The disciples as children take so other children to the Father, but always following the Only Child. A gospel experience is expressed in the community. Everything about the land, primarily concerned with the consistency with where Christians live their presence in the world, each land has to rely on the taste of the disciples on the taste of the Church. The disciples, the Church can be seen, not hidden.

The Gospel in the mind of the Church Fathers
How the Word has it that Christians, as disciples of Christ, shaped only by what they see in him or hear from him. Light of the world, so as not to admit the wrong and enlighten those who draw near to them so that they know the truth, and become what they should be or what they are showing. As the salt in the earth, so that those who have fellowship with them will be renewed in the spirit to become incorruptible (Basil the Great, Moral 80,1.9 s).

of good works shine our light and illuminate the path from the night of this world brings to light the eternal light (Cyprian, The Unity of the Catholic Church ).

your works shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Mt 5:16). Not so "because you are seen by them, with the intention of converting them to you, so if you're something you're not from you, but" why glorify your Father which is in heaven ", which convert to become what you are (Augustine, The City of God , 5:13-16). The sorrow I feel right

when I remember that on holidays the assemblies were similar to the vast expanses of the sea and that but now you do not see gathered here even a small part of that crowd! Where are now those who are in the solemnity due to so much sadness for us? I miss it and I grieve for them because the thought that many of those who were being saved are perishing. What we have to suffer great loss of brothers, becomes small as the number of those who achieve salvation, so that the most significant of the Church turns into a dead and inert.
And what we got to do? some may say. You very much regards, because you will not be cured, not encouraged them, not help them with your advice, you can not attract and almost force them to come, and do not recall them with great negligence. For Christ, when we called salt and yeast and light, he wanted to show that we must not only be useful to ourselves, but to many others. Those elements actually are and shall benefit the other: the light does not shine by itself, but for those who are in darkness and light you are not alone to enjoy the light, but bring back those lost. What use is it when the lamp does not light to those in darkness? And you need to be a Christian if you do not convert anyone to virtue?
Similarly, salt is not only purifies itself, but stops the corruption of the body and does not let dissolve and perish. So too: since God has made you the spiritual salt, collect and gather the corrupt members, ie siblings negligent, as well as those who toil in mechanical work continuously, so that, freed from sloth of spirit as a gangrenous wound, can become part of the body of the Church. That's why we called yeast: it, although small, does not ferment itself but the whole mass, as large and huge.
Even so, though few in number, be very powerful for the faith and love for the worship of God
just as the yeast is not inert because of its smallness, but the heat inherent in its nature and by virtue of its property has the upper hand on the ground, so do you, if you like, you can bring a far greater number at the same fervor and the same love (John Chrysostom, bishop, "Homilies on some passages in the New Testament ").

"You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). With these words he shows that it was necessary to give them those great precepts. He says, in essence, not only for their personal lives, but also for the salvation of all men what the teaching will be entrusted to them. I am not sending you out - seems to say - as a time the prophets were sent to two cities, or ten, or twenty, or a particular people, but I send you to the earth, the sea, the whole world in this world that lives in corruption. Saying: "You are the salt of the earth," suggests that the substance of the men was made tasteless and corrupted by sin. For this reason he calls his apostles especially those virtues which are necessary and beneficial to convert many.
When a man is meek, humble, merciful and just, does not take itself closed under similar, but makes these excellent sources, stemming from his soul, spreading the benefit of others.
Besides, who has a pure heart, who is not in dispute, those who suffer persecution on account of truth, puts his life for the good of all. Do not think, therefore - it is Jesus as saying - that I pull you in battles and occasional minor reasons for which I am 'the salt of the earth. " But why? They may have healed that which was corrupt and rotten? No, this is not what the Apostles did. Salt can not remedy the rot. The apostles, I repeat, did not do this. But when the grace of God they will prove to be truly the "salt of the earth, maintaining and retaining men in this new life they have received from God It is the work of Christ to free men from the corruption of sin, but it is up to the apostles with their concern and their efforts to prevent them falling back into that state of corruption. Watch as, little by little, Jesus shows that the apostles are above the prophets. He calls them not only doctors of Palestine, but masters of "the whole world" and strict teachers and terrible. And what is admirable is the fact that, without flattery, and not to please men, but on the contrary, behaving like the salt, there has been loved by all. Do not be surprised, then, - Jesus appears to continue, - if, neglecting the others, I turn particularly to you and draws you in so much risk. Consider how many and what are the cities, peoples and nations to which I am going to send you. So, I do not want you just to be prudent and wise, but I want you to do the other similar to you. How to be wise people, upon which the salvation of others! It should be a virtue of their abundant, so as to participate in the benefits to other men. Well if you do not have enough virtue to communicate it to others - seems to conclude Jesus - do not even have enough for yourself. Do not complain, then, almost as difficult as it was too hard and I ask you. Others, in fact, that is located in a mistake, you can convert your means. But if you lose your place, you will lose yourself and others with you. The more important tasks that are entrusted to you, the more you dedicate yourself to others with zeal. This is why Jesus says the following words: "But if salt becomes tasteless, with what will make him taste? A null` Another plus is good to be thrown away because it is trodden under foot of men "(Mt 5:13).
When other men would fall into a thousand faults, they can obtain forgiveness. But if the master himself becomes guilty, and nothing can excuse his sin will be punished with extreme justice. Fearing that the apostles, hearing that the world would have them covered with injuries that they would be persecuted and that she would tell them all the evil you have been afraid to come forward and get in the middle of talking to people, Jesus openly declared that if they were not ready for this, in vain he had chosen. You do not have to fear - seems to say - to be slandered; you rather be afraid to look flattering, because then a salt diverreste tasteless, 'null' else to good to be thrown away, to be trodden under foot of men. " But if you kept all your flavors in the face of corruption, and then if people say bad about you, rejoice because this is the 'effect that makes salt, bites and stings the wounds. The curses of the men will inevitably follow, but instead of evil comes, they attest to your firm. If, however, the fear of slander will save the force that is necessary, then be put to far worse consequences and you will be covered by injuries and contempt of all: that the words mean "trodden under foot of men."
Immediately after the Savior goes even higher in comparison: "You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14), - he says. Do not call them only light of a people or twenty cities, but "light of the world, of all the earth, and intelligible light, brighter than the sun's rays, as well as salt, which has just spoken, is a salt entirely spiritual. He speaks first of the salt, and after the light to show what good comes from harsh words like salt and as a useful effect comes from a strict doctrine, which strengthens the soul and not allow you to relax and become corrupt, but raises and leads as to hand over path of virtue. "It can not a city that is set on a hill is hidden, nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand and so it is light to those who are in the house" (Mt 5:14-15).
stimulates Jesus Christ once again with these words to his Apostles monitor their conduct, warning them to be always on the alert because they are exposed to the eyes of all men and fight in an arena in the middle of high ground. Do not stop - he says - to consider where we are now seated and that we, here we are in a small corner of the world. You will be the sight of all men, as is a city set on top of a mountain or a lamp that shines on a candlestick in a house ... "Shine the same way your light in the eyes of men, that seeing your good works give glory to your Father in heaven (Mt 5:16). I, in fact - Jesus seems to say, - I turned on the light because it continues to burn, you must be vigilant and zealous not only for you but also for those who have obtained the same law and were conducted at the truth. The libel will not overshadow your glory, if you live with perfection and to convert all people. let your life be worthy of grace and truth that you have received, and how this should be preached everywhere, so your life goes hand in hand with it. But, in addition the salvation of men, Jesus highlights another effect, valid in the fight to keep vigilant and to promote all the zeal. Not only does convert the entire world, he adds - living in this new way, but the glory of God If you do otherwise, you will be guilty of the destruction of men and the fact that the name of God will be dishonored by the blasphemers . (John Chrysostom, In Matth . 15, s. 6)

Some questions for personal reflection and comparison
Even today renewed the words of Jesus: "You are the salt of the earth, the light .. "as a reflection of God my life is to see? What
sense of things, of God I love those who enjoy meeting?
I'm really capable of doing great work?


Let's pray before the word leaves illuminated by it. We make sure that the light enters into our hearts to discover our path guided by Christ the Light of Truth (From Psalm 111):

Check in darkness, light to the upright:
merciful, merciful and just .
good man takes pity and lends,
conducts his affairs with.
He did not waver for ever
forever be the memory of the righteous.
Bad news will not have to fear,
balance is your heart, trust in the Lord.
Fair is his heart, not fear,
he gives to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever,
stands in front of his glory.

contemplative act
St. James compares the Word of God as a look in the mirror and then put it into practice. Edith Stein calls "You have to be like a glass through which the light of God descends upon the world. The glass can be opaque or dirty, or obstruct the light."