Epiphany 5A - Boy Scout and Vestry installation

Feb. 8, 2020

Isaiah 58:1-9a, [9b-12]; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, [13-16]; Matthew 5:13-20; Psalm 112:1-9, (10)

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples and the crowds during his famous Sermon on the Mount. Just after he finishes the beatitudes, saying such things as “Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers….” Jesus tells those gathered around him that they are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World.

These are good words for us to consider this morning.

First of all, here we are in February – a season that tends to be darker and less “zesty” than other times of the year.

Today we also celebrate Boy Scout Sunday…. Yesterday was the The 110th birthday of the Boy Scouts.] Today we will also install our new vestry for 2020. And we ask them to lead us, by being Salt and Light.

So what does it mean to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the world. Is that an easy job, or a hard one?

I’d say it is both.

Let’s consider what it might mean for us to be Salt and Light.

First – consider salt.

Salt is used both as a preserver or healing agent, as well as a seasoning.

Back in Jesus’ day, there was no refrigeration. If you wanted to preserve something, one way was to rub it with salt. Think about the beef jerky you might take on a camping trip.

So just like salt can preserve food that spoils, People who are the salt of the earth can help preserve God’s creation, this world and our communities from getting spoiled.

If we want to be the salt of the earth, one of our jobs is to guard and preserve the good and healthy things around us, so that they are there for others.

That might include –

Preserving Our environment and taking care of creation.

Preserving the values of a fair and democratic government, and working for justice, truth, and peace, even in challenging times.

Preserving the institutions that do good in society – that includes taking your part in leading and supporting the church (or your community of faith) of supporting your boy scout troop, of supporting the other organizations and communities that serve the greater good.

There tends to be a movement in society away from anything Organized.

For example, I’d rather be spiritual on my own. I don’t need organized religion.

Or – I don’t want to join a good, because I could get tied down. I’d rather be a free agent. The problem is, if you value what that organizations espouse, you need to be part of preserving those values for the future.

God calls us do our part, as a salty preservative, to keep the world from going bad or from spoiling. God’s people are meant to preserve God’s purposes in the world.

Salt is also a healing agent, as any of you know who gargle salt water when you have a sore throat. Part of what it means to be salt of the earth is to be agents of healing and reconciliation in the world. And as we know, when salt hits a wound, it can sting. Meaning, real work in reconciliation and healing is not always easy. Human beings prefer to avoid pain and discomfort, but often times, true healing and change – change and healing of our bodies, our society, or our land, only comes when one is awakened by the painful salt of God’s truth, calling us to purify our intentions and our actions.

Of course, when we think of salt, we mostly think of it as a seasoning. When seasoning food, salt is usually best when dissipated throughout the meal, bringing forth the hidden flavors, not just saturating the food in one place.

Christians are to live and practice the faith in such a way that we are flavorful, and bring spice to life. As Jesus said, Salt that has lost its taste is good for nothing. Christians whose faith is bland don’t make the path of Jesus seem all that appetizing. Christians who pile on the Religious salt too heavy, can make someone who is trying to taste and see, spit the whole thing out because it’s overpowering

There’s another thing about Salt. Salt makes you thirsty.

You know how when you are at a party and eat a lot of potato chips, you get really thirsty and want to drink more? It’s the salt that makes us thirsty and seek a way to quench that thirst.

As Christians, we are called to live such a joy-filled, flavorful, life that it makes other people thirsty for God. We want to live in such a way that others can see how we have meaning and purpose to our lives. That we live beyond our own selfish ambitions, again, so that others become thirsty for what they see exhibited in us.

You and I need to also continue to be thirsty for God – to know God better. We help satisfy that thirst through prayer, study, worship and service.

So as Salt of the earth, we are called to Preserving, Healing, and Seasoning this world, and by our salty presence and actions, making others thirsty to know God.

So, what does it mean to be the Light of the World?

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14–16).

When we walk into a dark room, we flick a switch and the room is bathed in light. But that wasn't the case for the people Jesus addressed. They lit their homes at night with small oil lamps.

The picture of someone lighting a lamp and then putting it under a clay pot would have been humorous to this crowd. The only reason to light a lamp was so you could see, and just like Jesus suggested, you would place that lamp in a place where it could give off as much light as possible.

We have an understanding of light that first-century Jews didn't. For instance, we know that it's because of light that we can see the entire spectrum of colors. We know that sunlight provides the energy needed to sustain life on earth and gives us critical vitamin D.

So, part of being the light of the world is to help make evident the beautiful rainbow of colors and diversity in our world – to value the variety of gifts and the unique contributions people are able to give. By being light we can help others grow into what they were created to be.

Light is not only a beacon toward the good, but also can illuminate the dark, dingy corners of the world and call us to take action to make them better. Light dispels the darkness. Taken metaphorically, that means that we are to help spread God’s light in the dark places of the world. We do that by offering kind words and loving actions to others.

But it goes beyond just our personal interactions. We are also called to bring God’s light to the greater society. It’s about being faithful AND putting that faith into action.

The 16th century theologian John Selden said, “ In my intellect, I may divide [faith and works], [but] just as in the candle I know there is both light and heat; yet put out the candle, and both are gone.

We heard the Prophet’s Isaiah’s speak about what the action of Being Light can look like:

“Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of injustice,

to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn.”

Being light means being not only a beacon of God’s love and goodness and hope, but also persistently shining the light of truth that exposes dark corners of injustice, corruption, and oppression in our world, and then working to over come that darkness. By working for justice, helping the oppressed, helping free those who are oppressed, we let our light shine.

Of course, it’s important to remember that we are not the source of that light. Yes. Jesus says we are the light of the world. Be he also said, “I am the light of the world.” Just like a fire cannot burn without fuel, or a lamp cannot shine unless it’s plugged in, you and I are filled with light and can shine God’s light only when we understand that God himself is the source of the light we experience.

Let me close by offering the words of Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela, was a black political leader who worked against Apartheid in South Africa, the unjust system of separating people by race, and offering privilege to whites. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his work, but eventually became the first black man elected president of the country.

In Inaugural Speech as the president of South Africa in 1994, Mandela said:

Our deepest fear is not

that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear

is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness,

that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,

gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened

about shrinking so that other people

won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to manifest

the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people

permission to do the same.