Be Salt. Be Light

Some days ago I was watching a video of an evangelical tent revival.  On the stage were many very well known and popular evangelists.  The vid itself, lasting about seven minutes, was of a woman, with a powerfully beautiful voice, singing "Precious Lord Take My Hand."  After her rendition, the ministers; then the congregants sang.  It was outstanding.  What was fascinating to watch was these people swaying back and forth with their hands waving freely in the air.  The environment was certainly charged with the spirit, and people were really moved.

As Jesus speaks about being salt and light today, I think that it is that spontaneous joy and witness that he is suggesting.  Our faith should demonstrate itself in powerful ways so as to positively affect the hungry, naked, homeless, and all of those afflicted by the darkness of Sin and Evil.  To be sure the Vatican II document of the Constitution of the Church in the Modern World, would recommend that our profession of faith be bold and clear.  As the Gospels relate, all men and women should see our good works and give honor and praise to the Father.

Back in the 60s we sang "They will know we are Christians by our love."  That was sort of the theme song of the sixties and early seventies.  While we did not have much in theology or ecclesiology we did understand that our profession of faith needed to be accomplished outside of church and in addition to the Mass.

When I came to this parish several months ago, and had asked about the RCIA program, the program leaders had stated that they put information in the bulletin so as to attract candidates.  Certainly we should be going out into the highways and by-ways, but the community of faith, in the manner it serves and worships in spirit and in truth, should draw peoples into the Body of Christ.  Like the Christopher West song, we can no longer simply go through the motions.

While Vatican II alluded to full and active participations being mainly in regards to the Mass, Our entire faith life asks that we take responsibility for the mission and ministry entrusted to us.  We are to be salt and light in the world today.