‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 

Matthew 5: 21-24

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You: Salt of the Earth and Light of the World? Really?
 

Matthew 5: 13-14

“You are the salt of the earth.”  “You are the light of the world.”  What did Jesus mean?

He didn’t say, “You have the potential to be salt of the earth.” He didn’t urge us,

“With a little more sprucing up, you could become light for the world.”

He said it as if it were already true. He declared it as if it were obvious. Jesus told the group, huddled before him on the Galilean hillside, “You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.”

They were no select group.  They were just an assortment of people who’d gotten up on an ordinary morning, and made their way to the hillside that day, to hear this man Jesus about whom they’d heard.  They got up, just as all of us did on this ordinary morning, deciding – for one reason or another – to make our way here, to King’s Chapel.

And then we hear, as those on the hillside did, these odd words: “You are the light of the world. You are the salt of the earth.”

Is it true?

The Beatitudes – Matthew 5: 10-12, 9

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you

and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

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