Jesus said to His disciples:

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

In the past several days or even the entirety of Missio Dei, I have been speaking about the importance of mission and evangelization. Brothers and Sisters, I cannot stress enough the importance of your mission to be witnesses to the ends of the earth for Jesus.

He chose you for this; Jesus, He is calling for you to pick up your cross and follow Him. You have a vital role to play to call others to Him. Let’s take today’s Gospel reading, Jesus uses two metaphors—the similes of salt and light. Modern people take salt for granted and do not find it very necessary. Salt was of extreme importance in the ancient world. The importance of salt ranged from the preservation of food, purification purposes, and liturgical functions.

Ponder what Jesus is telling us here today, “You are the salt of the earth.” Christ is reminding us that the type of discipleship that He requires is of extreme importance for spreading the good news of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

None of us who are called by Christ is just a face in the crowd. The Lord sees you and He is calling you to mission.

But when it comes to seasoning, salt requires its taste. Jesus is reminding us that our discipleship will come with persecution, let us ask God for the grace of not losing our taste so that the world can come to know the One who saves—Jesus Christ. Amen.