I was once invited to a Catholic social media conference. During the Q&A, I was asked if posting your good deeds on social media was right. After all, the Bible says, “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

But the Bible also says, “You are the light of the world, a city set on hill. . . . Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I reasoned out that we complain of social media being filled with filth and trash. But what are we doing? Shouldn’t we “light a candle instead of simply cursing the darkness?” And that’s what the Bible verse says.

So, yes, go proclaim your good deeds and shine your light as long as you do it to “glorify your Father in heaven.”

Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com)

reflect

Are you guilty of proclaiming your good deeds? Who are you proclaiming it for—yourself, or to glorify God?

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to shine the light of Your Son, Jesus, and proclaim Your glory. Amen.

St. Josephine Bakhita, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 58:7-10

In today’s First Reading, Isaiah wrote: “Share your bread. . . shelter the homeless . . .” This is a reminder that true faith always leads to action. This is a struggle for most of us because we think that faith is about saying prayers and going to Mass. Prayer and the life of the sacraments are not the end-all of faith, but the means by which we put our faith into action.

7 Thus says the Lord: 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. ⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; ¹⁰ if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

⁴ Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. ⁵ Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. (R) ⁶ He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. ⁷ An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. (R) ⁸ His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. ⁹ Lavishly he gives to the poor; his justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

Second Reading | 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul does not claim to be a great orator, but he does claim to know the truth about Jesus, the Messiah of humanity. He understands the importance of sharing this truth and does not let his shortcomings in speech prevent him from doing so. Let us be grateful to Paul for not being concerned about making a fool of himself; otherwise, many people would not have heard the Gospel.

¹ When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. ² For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  ³ I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, ⁴ and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, ⁵ so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Gospel | Matthew 5:13-16

Spices are used to enhance the taste of our food. The same is true for the Christian life: Without the truth of the Gospel, our witness becomes ineffective in furthering the work of God's Kingdom. Along with prayer and study of the Scriptures, we must “spice” up our witness to the faith with Gospel truths and speak to the communities we live in. Let us make a difference as we live out the Gospel.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

¹³ Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 CORINTHIANS 5 - 8 today

The Struggle to Remain Lit and Salty

Ancient wisdom suggests that when we face God, He will ask two questions: First, did you find joy in your life—the “salt of the earth”? Without joy, we may spread negativity, and in that case, we might be asked to leave. Second, was your life a joy for others—the “light for others to see”? Joy is not something we create for ourselves; we bring joy to others, and in doing so, we find joy within ourselves.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to be both salt and light for others. Salt preserves and enhances life, while light promotes and illuminates it. Salt enhances flavor, preserves food, and symbolizes wisdom, covenant, and solidarity. Light, the first act of creation, leads us from darkness to salvation. Though darkness and light contrast, both reflect God’s will, which will be fully revealed in His time.

Salt works best when it dissolves, blending in to enhance the flavor of life. Light shines outward, illuminating others rather than drawing attention to itself. Both salt and light serve others; we don’t praise the salt when we eat, but the food it enhances. Likewise, we don’t compliment the light when we sleep; we simply live illuminated by it. This calls us to be salt and light for others, serving without seeking recognition.

Yet, we must remember that we are not always salty or lit. To embody salt and light is a daily mission that requires self-emptying and continual renewal. Our Christian lives are works in progress—a mixture of grace and sin, light and darkness, virtue and vice. 

Discipleship has its seasons. At times, we feel strong; at other times, we grow weary. We are not “bad” people; we simply get tired. We don’t give up. The greatest temptation is to grow bland and dim; if we yield to that, the only one who will be happy is the devil. This is the temptation we must resist. 

Fr. Paolo Asprer, SSP

reflection question

How are you being salt and light to others?

Lord, grant us the grace to be the salt that seasons life with love and the light that guides others to Your truth. In moments of weariness, renew our hearts, filling us with Your joy and hope. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________