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.
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."
Source: https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/
Analysis
Today's passage is a very short passage, but it is quite meaningful. While Jesus makes various analogies to deliver His point, such as salt of the earth, city on the mountain, light on a lampstand, and so on. Since it's fairly simple, I'll go ahead straight to the meaning of the passage. The core message of this passage is that humans have a duty to be a light and guide for their fellow humans. Every person has their own capabilities to contribute to society. However, if they lose that capability, as salt loses its taste, what is the purpose of that human existing on this earth anymore? Essentially, if you only live for yourself, you are as good as dead, as you are useless.
On the part of being the light of the world, it simply means how one utilizes their capabilities and potential to help others. If one keeps their work and contributions to a few people, it will not be of much use, but if it is spread among the many, then that person would be more useful and thus help more people. Just like a light, if it is kept hidden, it will not be of much use as its light will reach few places. But if it is placed on a lampstand, its light will find more places to reach and thus gives light to the entire house. As such, we too must do the same, we must be open and not hide our talents and potential, so that we can be useful for society.
This may seem to contradict Jesus' teachings about not doing good deeds in open view, but these are two different messages. When Jesus was reprimanding the pharisee for praying in front of many, it is because they are doing it out of self gain. The pharisee do it so people look at them and praise them, not because they actually wish to communicate with God. What Jesus wishes to say on that passage is if we do a good deed, we must do it wholeheartedly and not for self gain. However, if we wish to contribute the most to society, we must not hide our talents, but be open for all to see. In an analogy, a dandelion may spread its seeds far and wide, and let people see new dandelions, without knowing where it came from. I believe that is all I have to say, have a nice day and see you tomorrow.
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