Maintaining the Strength of our Faith, Hope and Love

In today's Gospel, Matthew 5: 13-16, Jesus reminds us that we "are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?"  Jesus also reminds us that we "are the light of the world."  Our light is to be set on a lamp-stand where everyone can see it:  "Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."   

Salt brings out the flavor in foods! We, too, are to bring out the "flavor," if you will, of the gifts of faith, trust and love of our God and others. Knowing us, if our salt has not lost its flavor, others taste how good the Lord is and how strong our love for another!  However, if our salt has lost its flavor, that is, if our faith is "dead," our love has wilted, and our trust has been smothered  by distrust and anxious worries, then there is no way that we are able to enhance or strengthen the faith, hope and love of others.  

Regarding being the light of the world around us, the same is true.  If our light is dim, that is, smothered by worries and cares of the world or weakened by unresolved grief and anger and hatred, we are unable to bring light to the lives of others.  If we do not "charge" the "batteries" of our faith, hope and love by good works, by holy reading, by reception of the sacraments, by times of solitude, by drinking in the beauty of the earth and  by being faithful to our vocational commitments, the light we are called to be could burn out or become so dim that we are ineffective in radiating God's love and presence in our marriage, our religious lives, our priesthood or our lives as single men and women. 

What are you, what am I, doing that  "charges" and maintains the vitality of our faith, hope and love?Is yours or my salt flavored and our lamps burning brightly?