P. Rodrigo Serrano Spoerer, LC
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Christ, our King.
Thy Kingdom come!
Preparatory prayer (to put me in the presence of God)
O God, you sent your Son into the world as true light and salt, pour your Spirit into my mind, my lips and my heart so that I too may sow the seed of faith and truth in the hearts of my brothers and sisters, so that, reborn to new life through baptism, we may become part of your one holy people.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 5, 13-16
At that time Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes dull, with what will you salt it? It is good for nothing but to throw it out and let people trample it underfoot. You are the light of the world. You cannot hide a city set on the top of a hill. Nor do men light a candle to put it under a bushel basket, but to put it on a candlestick and let it give light to all in the house. Let your light so shine to men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Jesus, today you propose two images to me: salt and light. How bad food tastes without salt, it seems to have no taste, it is not appetizing, it tastes like “hospital food”. The same is true of a Christian life without the salt of your presence: it is a sad, dull, funeral life that attracts no one. If you call me to be salt of the earth, it is because you want me to be a reflection of your presence in this world, wherever I happen to live: family, work, studies, group of friends, etc. To be an apostle is to always carry the salt of Christ's presence wherever I go, and not only when I dedicate myself to a strictly “Church” activity.
But salt not only gives flavor, it also preserves food and heals wounds. If only I were a little more aware of your constant presence in my life, how my Christian life would remain strong in the face of the temptations of sin that corrupt it. How many open wounds I have that I am unable to heal and that the salt of your mercy would be enough to cure them.
Then you ask me to be a light to enlighten men. Only united to you can I be light, for you said I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (Jn 8,12). Here I am, Jesus, to let myself be enlightened by you so that I can be a reflection of your light. My life is like a mirror, I only have to direct it towards you so that it can begin to illuminate. If I don't, it will only be a reflection of my poor self. Light is also warmth and life, where there is darkness, there is pain and death....Sweet Jesus, help us to spread your aroma wherever we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and your life. Possess our whole existence to such an extent that our whole life is but an emanation of yours. Shine through us, and dwell in us in such a way that all souls who come in contact with us can feel your presence in our soul. Make them look at us and no longer see us, but only you, O Lord! (St. Teresa of Calcutta).
«Jesus invites us not to be afraid to live in the world, even if at times there are conditions of conflict and sin in it. In the face of violence, injustice, oppression, the Christian cannot close in on himself or hide in the security of his own enclosure; neither can the Church close in on herself, she cannot abandon her mission of evangelization and service. Jesus, at the Last Supper, asked the Father not to take the disciples out of the world, to leave them there in the world, to protect them from the spirit of the world. The Church lavishes herself with generosity and tenderness for the little ones and the poor: this is not the spirit of the world, this is its light, it is salt. The Church listens to the cry of the least and the excluded, because she is aware that she is a pilgrim community called to prolong in history the saving presence of Jesus Christ.». (H.H. Francis, Angelus of February 9, 2020).
Dialogue with Christ
This is the most important part of your prayer, prepare yourself to talk with much love with the One who loves you.
Talk to Jesus about those activities or aspects of your life that lack the taste of holiness and ask him to invite you to take some of his salt. Tell him of those personal situations or those of your acquaintances where you see a lack of light and make yourself available to bring his light there.
Purpose
Propose a personal one. The one that involves the most love in response to the Beloved... or, if you believe that this is what God is asking of you, live what is suggested below.
Bring a bit of salt or the light of charity, of closeness, of listening, of patience to those whom you know are going through a moment of discouragement, coldness or darkness in their lives.
Farewell
We thank you, Lord, for all your benefits, you who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Christ, our King!
Thy Kingdom come!
Most prudent Virgin, Mary, Mother of the Church.
Pray for us.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
