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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“You are the salt of the earth;

but if salt has lost its taste,

how can its saltiness be restored?

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It is no longer good for anything,

but is thrown out and trampled under foot.”

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– Matthew 5:13 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Salt preserves food from corruption,

and Christ is telling us Christians

that by the way we live,

through our influence,

and by our example,

we can preserve goodness in the world around us,

keeping it from being taken over by moral corruption.

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Salt also brings out the flavour of food

and makes it more pleasant.

So it is with good Christians,

who take love, joy and peace everywhere they go.

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Significantly,

salt disappears into the food that it flavours

…and the Christian should do the same.

The most important becomes the flavour of the food

and not the salt itself.

The good Christian

makes sure that he or she too disappears into the background

as Christ comes to the fore.

The glory should be Christ’s alone.

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But, we must be aware

that if the salt loses its taste and its qualities,

it becomes good for nothing

– and it is thrown out as useless.

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It is constant prayer

and, primarily, participating in the Eucharist

that protects us against the elements,

which are constantly seeking to destroy us.

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PRAYER…

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Holy Spirit, use me.

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Holy Spirit,

let my life,

my words,

my deeds,

add flavour to the world around me

by giving glory to God

…and, as He increases,

let me disappear.

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Holy Spirit,

protect me,

strengthen my faith

guide me,

fill me

and use me

to spread Your love,

Your peace

and Your joy.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Holy Spirit, use me.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The Holy Spirit prepares the faithful for the sacraments

by the Word of God

and the faith which welcomes that word in well-disposed hearts.

Thus the sacraments strengthen faith and express it.

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[CCC 1133]

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