Well, after 40 days of Lent, and Holy Week, and the Paschal
Triduum, and 50 days of easter, almost exactly 25% of the liturgical year, we’ve
returned once again to Ordinary Time.
The green of Ordinary time reminds us of the growth for
which we are to strive, the growth in holiness, and virtue, and the gifts of
the Holy Spirit. Green is also the color associated with the theological virtue
of hope. We hope that what we do in the ordinary course of the Christian life
will lead to heaven.
Our Gospel readings during Ordinary Time focus mostly on the teachings and
works of Jesus throughout the course of his public ministry, from after his
baptism in the Jordan before he reaches Jerusalem.
Ordinary Time is like a slow pilgrimage, during which we are
pondering each day, with each step, the truths of our Lord, and how to incorporate
them into the concrete details of our life.
Today Jesus teaches that his followers are to be the salt of
the earth. In the ancient world, salt had a number of uses. So, too, Christians
have a number of jobs.
The first job for salt most of us think of is seasoning.
Salt makes food tasty. So, too, Christians are to be a sort of seasoning to an
otherwise bland world. There is nothing
more interesting, no one more full of life, than a Christian saint filled with
the life of Christ—something each of us are to aspire to.
Salt is also a Preservative: In the days before
refrigeration, salt made preserving food possible for times of famine.
Christians have the job of preserving what is good and holy in creation, and
fighting off spiritual decay.
Salt is also a Purifier: most water purification systems use
salt as a "purifier." Christians are to be the world’s purifiers:
opposing the corrupting powers of malice and perversion and greed, purifying
the mind and heart of society by preaching the word and calling to conversion.
Salt is used to melt ice. Christians are called to melt the
coldness of the icy hearts of the world, particularly through our charity.
There is nothing more heartwarming than when we act in selfless Christian
charity.
Finally, salt is used to prevent people from slipping on
slippery paths. Christians are called to
help souls from slipping into damnation—again by preaching the Gospel,
instructing the ignorant, and correcting the sinner.
During this Ordinary Time, consider how you are called in the concrete details
of your life to add some holy saltiness—purification, sanctity, warmth, and
stability—to the people and relationships around you for the glory of God and
the salvation of souls.
As we journey through Ordinary Time, trusting in the Lord’s
grace at work in our daily lives, let us offer our prayers for the Church and
for the world:
For the holy Church of God: That through her preaching,
teaching, and sacramental life, she may bring the seasoning of joy, the warmth
of charity, and the light of hope to a world grown cold with indifference.
For all who are called to positions of leadership and
influence: That they may uphold what is true and just, and help preserve what
is good in society.
For our parish community: That we may grow each day in
holiness and virtue, becoming instruments of God’s grace in our families, our
workplaces, and our neighborhoods.
For the sick, the poor, those who struggle with spiritual
dryness or despair, and those in need: that God’s grace may bring healing to
their wounds and warmth to their hearts.
For the faithful departed: That, having followed Christ in
this life, they may now rejoice in the eternal banquet of heaven.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord,
and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through
Christ our Lord
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