A: 5th Sun of Ord Time (9 Feb 2020) - BEING SPIRITUALLY VIRAL (Mt 5:13–16)

On a daily basis, we are appalled by the exponential rise of related cases on the spread of the so-called 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV). From the early number of hundred cases, we are dealing now with tens of thousands of contaminations, with deaths reaching to at least 300 (and counting!). Even scarier is the fact that the outbreak has crossed to different parts of the world. From Wuhan, China, its renowned epicenter, nCoV claimed its first death outside China in the Philippines last weekend.

We storm the heavens with prayers as most countries have become weary yet at the same time vigilant in monitoring 24/7 the medical conditions of their citizens, the movement of people in-and-out their territories, and the containment of those diagnosed as infected. We are all caught off guard and at a loss, especially on how a single unsuspecting micro-organism can cause global panic and pandemonium, and worse, can marginalize more and more people on account of their Chinese descent or relations. Such is the power of a virus: it can change not only the world’s socio-political landscape but even human attitudes to one another.

Analogically, I can say that our gospel today calls us all to be viral in our own Christian faith-witnessing. Our Matthean text utilizes two imageries directed to all on account of the use of the plural form of the pronoun “you” (“humeis” in Greek). Firstly, the image of salt is used: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” (Mt 5:13). Jesus does not specify here what he means by salt when applied to human behavior. We can only assume that it is all about the mandate of being constantly filled with zest and enthusiasm in our day-to-day living, in sync with the characteristic flavoring potentials of salt.

Secondly, the image of light is mentioned: “You are the light of the world… it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:15). This time the value asked from us by Jesus is more evident as explicated clearly on the next verse: “they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (v. 16). Essentially, being light means doing good works on a regular basis as our form of witnessing to God’s glory here on earth.

Being mentioned right next to each other, these two images should be treated inseparably in comprehending the kernel of this passage. However, there is hardly another instance that these two images are mentioned together in a biblical verse or episode. What comes only to mind is the imageries of salt and fire (i.e., the source of light) that are paired to each other in Mk 9:49: “For everyone will be salted with fire.” What immediately follows is very revealing on what is being asked of us: “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mk 9:50). If used as an accompanying lens in reading today’s gospel, we can claim that being both a salt and a light means propagating peace in one’s self, in others, and in the whole world. The dynamics, hence, of true Christian discipleship is to sanctify one’s self and to share this sanctifying experience to others by spreading it through our evangelizing witnessing.

Pope Francis, borrowing the words of the West African bishops, states in his encyclical Gaudate et Exsultate 33 :“we are being called in the spirit of the New Evangelization to be evangelized and to evangelize through the empowering of all you, the baptized, to take up your roles as salt of the earth and light of the world wherever you find yourselves.” In other words, the obvious challenge for us is to be constantly “salted” or “evangelized” by Christ’s message of peace; yet, it should not stop here as we need to extend this “light” to others. By doing so, we will fulfill the vision of the prophet Isaiah in the First Reading: “then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday” (Isa 58:10). Amidst all the global sufferings, may we be spiritually viral to the whole world by making a difference in our lives.

- Rex Fortes, CM