We Are The Salt of the Earth...

 

WE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH… 

Just prior to beginning my reflection on today’s gospel reading I completed work on what has been four years of study on the phenomenon of forced migration. Four years of research accomplished through extensive reading, conversations, travel seminars, academic seminars, and deep, deep reflection. After this extensive period of listening and learning, my final project a two-day seminar on forced migration, is set to go. It will be launched February 2-3. After that, It’s up to the Holy Spirit.

As I became more knowledgeable about the complex challenges the world faces in addressing forced migration, I moved from a point of incredible naivete to a painfully clear understanding of the myriad issues related to global migration and the mass movement of people throughout the world.

Increasingly growing numbers of men, women, and children throughout Africa, the Mideast, the Ukraine and Russia, Venezuela and other South American countries, Haiti, and the countries of the northern triangle (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador), and Mexico are forced to leave homes and loved ones in search of safety, security, and independence from oppression. It is truly a massive challenge for all global partners.

The Episcopal Church, understanding its scriptural mandate to welcome the stranger has and will continue to address this complex challenge on many fronts and in many ways. At first glance, the church’s efforts may appear to be but a drop in the bucket. However, Jesus has directed us, as God’s church, we must strive to be the salt of the earth and a light to the world no matter how great the challenge that we face.

Obviously, it is clear that in the realm of forced migration this mandate and our church’s response to it can only be one of the many voices that seek effective ways to mitigate against the need for so many people to flee their homes, and to, when indicated, offer them safe refuge. Refuge that promotes stability and an opportunity to successfully integrate into new communities, their new homes. An opportunity that offers the compassion and healing modeled for us by Jesus himself. 

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; you are a light to the nations.” And we know full well that if the salt has lost its taste, it is useless and that if the light goes out, we are left in the dark. Reflecting on these powerful metaphors I think back to what we now refer to as the “Covid 19 years.” During those months in 2019-2020 the salt did indeed lose its taste and the light was most certainly dimmed. Dimmed so low that many could not see through it.

Happily, although Covid is still with us we are now largely protected by the several vaccines that have been produced. Vaccines that do not protect us completely against Covid infection but do seem to mitigate its more serious effects. Vaccines that have allowed us to begin the slow process of reinvigorating our salt and turning up our light in ways that allow it to shine brightly once again. 

Now is the time to remember that our church has a long history of providing the compassion and love that shines the light of Christ on those who need healing. Over the years the Episcopal Church has provided shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry, and joy to communities throughout our nation.

The dark and frightening Covid 19 years which rendered many church’s salt quite tasteless and allowed many lights to flicker only dimly through such as quite primitive Facebook video prayer sessions are now thankfully behind us.

Now is the time to re-group. To clearly see the changing needs of our communities and to restore our saltiness and the brightness of our lights, and to join with the many other organizations that are responding to these community needs. The Episcopal Church must join with others if it is to truly provide effective forced immigration relief; to provide relief to the needs of an increasing number of men, women, and children in our community.

Our church must add its light to the many lights now beginning to shine in our communities nationwide. Together we can and we will shine ever so brightly, offering healing and hope.

Now is also the time to respond to questions such as “Who are we?” Why do we gather?” “What is our purpose?”

We need not look far for clarification. These questions are answered repeatedly in scripture. In 1 Corinthians Paul writes, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” In 1 Peter we read, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” And today we hear Jesus’ words warning to us both as individuals and as a Christian community, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses it taste it is useless; you are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Who are we? We are the body of Christ. The chosen people. A royal priesthood. A holy nation.

Why do we gather, what is our purpose? As God’s chosen people, his holy nation we are meant to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. Our purpose is to be the salt of the earth and a light to the nations.

The church's identity and its purpose will remain the same always, no matter what happens. And, for sure, much is happening in this face-paced and ever changing world. Our context might change, but our identity and our purpose will remain the same – always.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

We will never see the whole staircase, but we must move forward. We must have faith that the incarnation shows us that God truly loves us enough to be with us always and through the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us on our way. We must remember that “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John. 3:16). 

The Episcopal Church has no immediate solution to the global challenge of forced immigration, but increasingly it is developing collaborative programs that will augment its “salt” and its “light.” It is taking many definitive steps in the process of innovative and important program development without the luxury of seeing the whole staircase.

 We must return to new and refreshed ways to engage with those in our community that share of mission of providing God’s light to those in need, those who are seeking a light.

Our salt must once again become salty, and our light must once again bright. We must renew our mission and “let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.”