The Nazareth Page- A gospel meditation for your home
February 8, 2026 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:13-16
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Download this simple process to Prepare for Sunday using the Observe, Judge, Act Method
When we see the phrase: “Add salt,” we think of giving our food a quick shot with the saltshaker. When we are asked to turn on the light, we walk to the light switch and flick it on. This is all done without much thought. It’s easily done and not thought of that much. Just part of the day’s routine.
But in this Sunday’s gospel salt and light are presented as extremely important. We are told that they are essential for life in the world God has created and for us to survive.
Salt was a seasoning for food as Jesus notes, but it was also needed for the preservation of food especially meat and fish. The importance of salt in human survival can be traced back thousands of years. There were basically two values associated with salt: first preservation of food and then its enjoyment. There is also a long record of salt being used for medicinal proposes. Adding salt makes life not only possible, but also more satisfying.
Jesus invites his followers to think of themselves as salt for the earth. In other words, he is asking us to serve as ones who preserve and enhance life for ourselves and each other here on Earth. Just like salt serves many uses, so do we. Sometimes a conversation needs a good salty thought. Or a worried or anxious or discouraged person needs a word of salty encouragement. Be that dash of salt than improves the lives of others.
Similar things can be said of light. My first thought (as a very amateur astronomer) is the light that comes from the Sun. If the sun decided to briefly stop shining, all life would probably end here on Earth in an instant. Which is a very radical way to think about the reality of light.
Having to survive the dark nights, light allows us to be safe and to see what’s around us. But there are also the smaller diminishments that occur in power outages or in other situations where total darkness takes over. We can also think of this metaphorically when our minds turn dark with fear or hopelessness.
Again, our being a light for others shows its value. In some circumstances, it can spell the difference between life and death. Calling us to become salt and light, Jesus outlines our role as being a major participant in making the world into a place that God intends – filled with life - now and forever!
David M. Thomas, PhD