The Salt of the Earth and the Light of God

Prayer-Soldier

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. 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. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: â€œHere I am!â€ If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; 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. (Isaiah 58:7-10)

What we provide for the less fortunate, we also provide for our Lord; for He told us, what you do for the least of these, you do for Me. Those who oppress, those who engage in corruption, those who manipulate others to evil may find treasure in this world, but what they gain for a moment, will only result in eternal misery.

Blessed are those who share with the hungry, who provide for the homeless, who give clothing to those who have none; for what is given here will be remembered by our Lord in heaven. As we care for the less fortunate, the light of God shines through us. The light which shines bright removes the darkness. As the light is spread, so is peace, so is the way of the Lord.

Who can condemn those with compassion, yet we see their persecution every day. Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in which they believe, for their reward will be great in heaven. Blessed are those who do the works of charity, for such works are most pleasing to God.

Jesus said to the crowds who followed Him: â€œYou 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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 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. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.â€ (Matthew 5:13-16)

God sent His only begotten Son to become the light of the world, the light which would spread from one to another so all would see. It is the Word of the Lord which teaches us how we should live; and as we spread the Word, we give meaning to life, not just in this world, but for the eternal kingdom to come.

Those who spread the Word are the salt of the earth. They are those who give meaning to others, purpose for life eternal. To spread the Word requires faith, but if that faith is lost, if we are deceived in what it means or how it should be lived, the Word is also lost and will have no meaning; to follow a word which is false will leave us with no purpose in the universe for each other. What comes without love comes only in misery and despair. What comes with love is great joy and hope beyond compare.

The leaders of faith, love and charity call us to a world where all shall be blessed and all shall have the hope to enter the kingdom of heaven. The faithful children of God who build the world of faith, love and charity; build the road to heaven. The faithful children of God are those who build the city which is the beacon upon the hill for all to see, so that all may be drawn to the light for the great joy and hope which it brings.

In prayer, we should pray for the strength and courage to be the salt of the earth which does not lose its taste, that which will help us grow in our faith, that which will help us turn from those who would tempt us to follow paths of darkness, that which will help us turn from our sin, that which will help us to care for the less fortunate, that which will help us inspire those without faith, that which will help us forgive as we ask for forgiveness; so that we may find the light of the world and live in its wonderful warmth.

May we all be the salt of the earth, those who spread the truth of the Word, not the false hopes of deception or the world to which the evil one seeks to tempt us. May we all live our lives according to the Word, so that we too will become part of the light, the light which removes darkness, the light which offers great hope, the light which shines the path to the eternal kingdom of heaven. Praise be to God and thanks may we give for the sacrifice made for us that the light shall forever shine as a beacon to all the children of God.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier