2 Cor 1:18-22 / Matthew 5:13-16
What do we call a radio or a tv that doesn't work? Or for that matter of fact, any appliance or machine that does not work?
And if it cannot be repaired then it would be better to just throw it away. Having it around is of no use whatsoever.
In the gospel, Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
It is difficult to imagine salt that has lost its taste. Salt that has no taste cannot be called salt. There is no name to describe that kind of thing.
But we can certainly imagine a light bulb that cannot work. It is spoilt and hence we throw it away.
Salt and light are also spiritual symbols of our baptism. Salt preserves our faith and keeps us from being ruined by sin.
The light of Christ is what we received at our baptism and that light must shine out in our lives through our words and actions.
But we must say "Yes" to God for the graces that He has given to us at our baptism.
And as we heard in the 1st reading, God had said "Yes" to us and made us His children through baptism.
We, in turn must say "Yes" and keep saying "Yes" to God to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.