Back when I worked in downtown Chicago, I used to take the train every day. Like most people, I sat in my own little world, just minding my own business and not engaging with anyone at all. (When you think about it, that’s kind of funny how we’re here but not really involved.) As any rail commuter knows, there are two unwritten rules when riding the train. One: never make eye contact with anyone coming down the aisle because that’s an invitation for them to sit next to you. Two: never speak to your seatmate. One time, I just happened to look up and accidentally made eye contact with a man. Sure enough, he sat next to me and immediately started talking. I had no idea who this man was as I had never seen him before in my life. But we ended up having the most amazing conversation for the remainder of our journey.
It didn’t hit me until I was heading home that evening: we often pass through this life without really getting involved in it. This stranger who just happened to walk into my world was actually fully present in a way that most people are not. He got involved. And that’s what our scripture readings talk about today: making the ordinary extraordinary.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses a familiar metaphor of salt and light to describe the life of discipleship. He says, “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” These are not casual statements. Jesus’ call to be salt and light states our mission as Catholic Christians, and our commitment to social justice flows from these very words. This is backed up in our first reading when Isaiah says, “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.” Each of these statements contain words of action because being a disciple means getting involved.
Being a disciple also means using the gifts we have been given to work for a just society. We must do more than just pray for people. We are called to act; and when we offer acts of compassion, we will scatter the darkness and reflect the radiant light of God’s love.
Each of us has been called by God to bring light in the darkness of this world – and it’s not optional. Jesus said that YOU are salt and light. He didn’t say, “you might be,” or “you could be.” He said YOU ARE, meaning that we must take action if we truly want to make an impact on those around us. Let me give you an example.
You are in the supermarket, and you see a mother with two young children. Her shopping cart is full, and the younger of the two children is in the seat of the cart screaming at the top of his lungs. The older child is on her feet pulling on her mother’s coat having a melt-down because she has just been told that she cannot have the candy she desperately wants. The mother is caught between these two hysterical children trying to calm them down. Then the younger one takes a box of cereal from the cart and hurls it down the aisle. You calmly walk over, pick up the cereal box, replace it in the cart. Then in your most positive tone you say to the mother, “Hang in there. It gets better.” She smiles in appreciation and turns back to her children. They are still acting up and she is still stressed out, but your simple word of solidarity has changed the flavor of the situation. Your salt made the ordinary extraordinary.
Being a disciple of Jesus sometimes involves more than small gestures. Our light can do big things like completely change people’s lives. But often, it’s the little things that end up letting the most light in.
A friend of yours has just been diagnosed with cancer, so you decide to visit her. She tells you about the diagnosis and her upcoming treatment. There is nothing you can do and very little that you can say. So you ask, “How about some coffee?” You know where she keeps it and you make a pot. Then you sit down at the kitchen table together, in silence. Her cancer is still there. The treatments are still to come. But your quiet presence has given her a bit of light in a darkened world.
I also believe that there is a danger of living out our call to discipleship in a minimal way. We can say things like, “I attend Mass. I pray every day. I donate to the church.” Then we pat ourselves on the back and say, “I am an awesome Catholic.” Don’t get me wrong, doing all these things is very important and necessary – and you ARE an awesome Catholic – but there is always something more that we can do.
One of my favorite quotes is this: “You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make buttprints in the sands of time?” We can make a huge difference in this world if we use our gifts. But we need to take that first step. We must not live in our own little world, minding our own business. We need to get involved and be fully present to those around us.
Jesus is telling us today that it is not enough to simply say we are disciples. Discipleship means taking action. Discipleship is a spice that makes life taste better. Discipleship looks like a city shining on a mountain. Discipleship looks like a lamp giving light to all in the house. Discipleship is you and I – bringing light into a darkened world by being who God made us to be, by using our gifts, and by glorifying God’s name through the good works that we do.
When we fully give of ourselves to those in need, it is then when we are making the ordinary extraordinary.
Every encounter with Jesus is life changing. Read more here.
