The Light of the World

Tuesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Readings may be found here
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I received joyous news today from a friend concerning the birth of a baby girl to her family. This little girl, Eloise Marie was born to young parents who take their faith very seriously. They named their little girl for the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux and she will grow and thrive in a home that will be its own little church – the “domestic church” that is so essential to the building up of the kingdom of God. 
 
As I congratulate my friend and pray for the family and their little girl, I am struck by the words of Jesus in the passage today from Matthew: “you are the salt of the earth,” and “you are the light of the world!” Jesus was teaching His disciples and disciples of every age, that the gospel is best proclaimed by living its gifts: joy, hope, love, and keeping faith with the Lord and with one another. In gathering those disciples on that beautiful hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, he was forming a family of faith to live His own mission. 
 
I am so very grateful for the families of faith that give life to the Church of Christ. I am grateful for spouses who make and keep that sacramental commitment to give themselves away in love and trust in imitation of the Lord’s Own saving gift. I am grateful for families that remind us all of the heart of what it means to be human – to love and help one another, to be with and for one another. 
 
It has never been easy to live the Christian life and lately it has been feeling pretty challenging. So to all those parents who are the priests of their own little flock and to all those families that live faith hope and love every day, thank you! You are indeed the salt of the earth and the light of the world!