Homily Tenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:13-16) “How Flat are You”

Homily Tenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:13-16) “How Flat are You”

We often think of Jesus’ parables as little stories that he told to make a point.  We think of stories like the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan. These are somewhat lengthy stories.  Sometimes they are based on popular tales that common people would tell.  Jesus would put a little twist on the story for his own purposes.  Usually that subtle change would catch his audience off guard. 

Jesus’ parables were often a lot shorter.  He would use a household item for example as a symbol of the way his disciples were supposed to operate in the world.  The symbols he uses in the Gospel that we read at Mass today were pithy. 

The symbol of light is very easy to understand.  We are to be a light to the world.  What we do, can do, and say can dispel the darkness of sin and evil.  We can be an example of goodness if we choose to be.

The use of salt for a little parable is not usually unpacked enough.  Salt was necessary for life in the ancient world.  If you did not have salt it was hard to survive.  We think of salt as something to flavor our food, but it was more than that.

Salt was a preservative.  If you wanted to store food, you had to salt it, or it would spoil.  There was no refrigeration.  Salt was also a purifying agent you could clean things with it to kill bacteria.  You could use it to purify water for example.

If we consider the function of salt in the world, we could say that we, as disciples of Jesus, are to be a force in the world that will preserve things from corruption and cleanse the dirt away.  We are to are the people that stabilizes what is good in the world and force to change what is immoral. 

We truly are to be the salt of the world.

Reflections Questions:

1. Does Jesus want me to chiefly worry about my personal morality or does he call me to do more than that?
2. How do I help preserve the Gospel message in my day to day life?  How am I salt for others?

Dear Parishioners,

You may now sign up for the 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses for next Sunday in the church. We have 125 spots for each Mass. This is because we are only allowed to have 25% capacity in church at any given time so people can keep a six-foot physical distance from each other.  To sign up go the website and sign in where it says Mass sign up or call our office and our staff will help you. 

Keep in mind that the 9 a.m. Mass has no sign up and we do not have to limit the number of people.  This is a great option.  We have had great weather for our first two outdoor Masses. 

We are starting Masses in doors slowly.  In talking with priests from other parishes they are doing the same.  Everyone is trying their own methods and ways to accommodate people. One size does not fit all. 

We will begin daily Masses in church when Bovard Glass finishes their work installing stained-glass. Until then we will continue with our livestream Masses and communion for daily Mass.  Remember that Wednesdays we have Adoration and Benediction after our livestream Masses. 

4 p.m. Mass this Saturday will be a livestream Mass with communion following.  On Sunday we will have communion outside after the 9 a.m. Mass.  We will not have communion in the parking lot after the 7 and 11 a.m. Masses.

We are trying to be as accommodating as the diocesan protocols and circumstances allow.

May Our Lady and the Angels and Saints watch over you today.

Fr. Mark