Have you ever had something that had so much salt in it that you couldn’t eat it? Or something that had no salt in it at all, and it just tasted bland? There has to be a middle ground. The reality is that all things done in moderation seem to work best.
What about light? Ever been driving and have it become so pitch dark that even with your headlights on, you can’t see very well? Or perhaps someone comes barreling down from the opposite direction, blinding your with their bright lights on?
I have experienced all of the above and although I hear Jesus say ‘we are to be salt of the earth and light of the world’, the above situations still came to mind.
What does it mean in my life to be salt of the earth and light of the world? Salt is good and so is light, but when do they become an issue or problem? All I could come up with is: “when there is too much salt and too much light, then you have a problem!”
I have to go back to all things in moderation. Salt is meant to enhance the flavor of food, not dominate it. Do I dominate others in trying to teach them about the Good News? Is my way the only way? Or when I want to show people the way by shining a light on it, is it a blinding light? How will they be able to see?
I guess as much as I hate to admit it, the best way is to live a hidden life that shows the way: to enhance others’ lives by my actions, no force or coercion. I need to lead by example and not words. This way the light will shine brightly enough to lead folks to the way!
Too much of a good thing can alter the situation, issue, problem, or cause. So how do I live my life like salt that hasn’t lost its flavor or light that hasn’t been dimmed?
By humbly being the best person that God has created me to be and gently, humbly, without fuss enhancing the journey and showing the way. Folks are more apt to follow a humble example then a loud voice.
Check in on your own salt and light; us it wisely, and in moderation!
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
P.S.: Let us remember on February 2nd to pray on the World Day of Consecrated Life, for all of the women and men in consecrated life!
